System and method for maintaining the hygiene of an animal

ABSTRACT

An animal cleaning device for grooming an animal. The animal cleaning device may include a top portion that includes a plurality of actuators and a bottom portion affixed to the top portion. The bottom portion may include a suction vent, a blow vent, an airflow vent, a brush, and a formulation dispenser.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/335,560 filed Jun. 1, 2021, which further is a continuationof U.S. Ser. No. 15/876,843 filed Jan. 21, 2018 which further is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/242,998filed Aug. 22, 2016. Further, this application claims benefit of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/242,998 under 35 U.S.C. § 120. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/242,998 is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/242,998claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application 62/208,693, filed Aug.21, 2015 which is also hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.Additionally, US patent application U.S. Ser. No. 15/876,843 claimspriority from U.S. Provisional Application 62/448,444, filed on Jan. 19,2017, which is also hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a system, apparatus, and methodfor grooming animals. More particularly, embodiments disclosed hereinrelate to a system that uses a cleaning device particularly suited forwashing an animal by applying a cleaning product to a surface of ananimal, and also brushing, and drying an animal using the cleaningdevice.

BACKGROUND

Household pets, such as, for example, dogs and cats, are oftenconsidered to be important members of homes and families. Pets areregularly included in family activities and reside with the family on apermanent basis. Additionally, household pets are often given access tomany areas of a house, including bedrooms, and are frequentlytransported and travel in an owner's vehicle.

Washing and grooming an animal, such as a household pet or other animal(e.g., horse, rabbit, pig, etc.), may be necessary to maintain thehygiene of an animal and to reduce unpleasant odors. Dogs, especially,are associated with unpleasant odors for a variety of reasons,including, but not limited to, the fact that their skin does not havesweat glands and does not allow them to sweat, thus trapping manyunwanted odors on their bodies. Additionally, dogs may frequently runand play in mud or dirt, which then sticks to the hair or skin on theirbodies.

While it is possible to take one's pet to be professionally cleanedand/or groomed at a pet salon or similar location, such establishmentsmay be costly and/or do not address the need to be able to groom andwash an animal as soon as the animal becomes dirty. Instead, typically,a pet owner becomes obligated to wash an animal by spraying or pouringlarge amounts of water and soap over the animal, and either drying theanimal off with towels or permitting the animal to air dry on its own.

SUMMARY

In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to an animal cleaningdevice for grooming an animal. In one or more embodiments of theinvention, the animal cleaning device includes a top portion thatincludes a plurality of actuators and a bottom portion affixed to thetop portion. In one or more embodiments of the invention, the bottomportion includes a suction vent, a blow vent, an airflow vent, a brush,and a formulation dispenser.

Other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the followingdescription and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an animal cleaning tool and a fluidsupply a unit having an air supply source, and a cleaning agent supplysource in accordance with one or more embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a pictorial illustration of an animal cleaning tool and afluid supply unit in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a pictorial illustration of a fluid release cap inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an animal cleaning tool in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a cut-away view of into an interior cavity of an animalcleaning tool in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a partial sectional view of an interior of a top portion ofan animal cleaning tool taken along section line 1-1 of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 shows a pictorial illustration of a non-portable fluid supplyunit mounted to a support surface in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a pictorial illustration of an animal cleaning tool havinga top housing portion and a bottom plate in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a pictorial illustration from a bottom perspective view ofthe animal cleaning tool of FIG. 8 in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows a pictorial illustration of an interior view of a tophousing portion of an alternative embodiment of an animal cleaning toolin accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 shows a pictorial illustration of an insert for a top housingportion of the animal cleaning tool of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 shows a pictorial illustration of the top housing portion of theanimal cleaning tool of FIG. 10 in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of an alternative animal cleaning tool inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 shows a pictorial illustration of the animal cleaning tool ofFIG. 13 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of a process for using an animal cleaning toolin accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 shows an animal cleaning device in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 shows an animal cleaning device in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific embodiments will now be described with reference to theaccompanying figures. In the following description, numerous details areset forth as examples of the invention. It will be understood by thoseskilled in the art, and having the benefit of this Detailed Description,that one or more embodiments of the present invention may be practicedwithout these specific details and that numerous variations ormodifications may be possible without departing from the scope of theinvention. Certain details known to those of ordinary skill in the artmay be omitted to avoid obscuring the description.

In the following description of the figures, any component describedwith regard to a figure, in various embodiments of the invention, may beequivalent to one or more like-named components described with regard toany other figure. For brevity, descriptions of these components will notbe repeated with regard to each figure. Thus, each and every embodimentof the components of each figure is incorporated by reference andassumed to be optionally present within every other figure having one ormore like-named components. Additionally, in accordance with variousembodiments of the invention, any description of the components of afigure is to be interpreted as an optional embodiment, which may beimplemented in addition to, in conjunction with, or in place of theembodiments described with regard to a corresponding like-namedcomponent in any other figure.

Throughout the application, ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third,etc.) may be used as an adjective for an element (i.e., any noun in theapplication). The use of ordinal numbers is not to imply or create anyparticular ordering of the elements nor to limit any element to beingonly a single element unless expressly disclosed, such as by the use ofthe terms “before”, “after”, “single”, and other such terminology.Rather, the use of ordinal numbers is to distinguish between theelements. By way of an example, a first element is distinct from asecond element, and the first element may encompass more than oneelement and succeed (or precede) the second element in an ordering ofelements.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below withreference to the figures. In one aspect, embodiments disclosed hereinrelate to one or more apparatuses, systems, and methods for maintainingthe hygiene of an animal.

Conventional methods and devices available for cleaning household petsor other animals may be frustrating. The process of washing and/ormaintain the hygiene of an animal, including common household pets suchas dogs and/or cats, is widely considered to be a chore for animalowners or animal care professionals responsible for cleaning an animal.

Pets may have oily coats that prevent them from being bathed with waterregularly. In addition, pets and/or other animals may not enjoy theprocess of being bathed because of the extensive amount of water, soap,and manhandling involved in positioning the animal for proper bathingand cleaning purposes. Further, it may take an extensive amount of timeto bathe and clean an animal. In addition, the time required to cleanand bathe an animal may be long and very time-consuming. Typically, thetime required to clean and bathe an animal may take at least twentyminutes, and is often longer when taking into account the preparationrequired to gather all the cleaning materials (e.g., water, towels,buckets, brushes, and soap/shampoo). Keeping an animal (e.g., a pet)still for a long period of a time is challenging.

Further, animals are usually wet and/or dirty prior to being cleaned andoften leave a mess inside the house and/or furniture of a bathroom,laundry room, kitchen, or any other area where a pet may commonly becleaned. Alternatively, the owner must confine the animal to aparticular location or area outdoors (e.g., in an outdoor yard or patio)during the cleaning and bathing process. Due to these and otherdrawbacks of washing and bathing animals, including that the animals donot tend to enjoy the process of being bathed, it is common for pets tobe washed infrequently. For example, pet owners may only bathe andthoroughly cleanse their pet either monthly or semi-monthly. Rarely, arepets washed on a daily or weekly basis, because the overall washingprocess for a pet owner is both labor intensive and messy. As analternative to bathing and washing one's own animals, pet owners mayprefer to take their pet to a pet washing, grooming salon or animal careestablishment. However, such establishments are very costly andexpensive, and an added drawback is that the pet owner may still berequired to transport an unclean animal in a vehicle to the pet salon.

As discussed above, conventional methods for cleaning and washing ananimal are often very physically demanding, labor intensive, which iswhy cleaning and washing an animal is often considered to be anunpleasant task. Further, conventional processes for cleaning a pet mayrequire that a pet owner first apply soap or some type of cleaningproduct to a surface of the animal. Application of such a cleaningproduct may be unpleasant, because, for example, often pet owners areapplying the soap with their hands, and are required to make physicalcontact with various parts of an animal, which may be dirty orunappealing to the touch.

Further, conventional methods for bathing and cleaning an animal, aswell as any accompanying devices or tools, may use an excessive amountof water during the bathing process. Typically, to wash an animal,including household pets, the animal is submerged into a large containeror body of water and/or sprayed with excessive amounts of water. It hasbeen discovered by the present disclosure that it may becounter-effective to effectively cleaning and reducing odors of ananimal to deposit an excessive amount of water onto the surface of theanimal. Excessive amounts of water that remains on the coat, hair, orfur of an animal may become stagnant and develop unpleasant odors aswell as attract more bacteria or other ticks and fleas to the animal,which is may be counter-effective to the washing and bathing process.Thus it may be beneficial to reduce the amount of water in a cleaningproduct used on an animal in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe present disclosure so as to reduce the amount of water that mayremain on a surface of an animal and may become stagnant and/or developunpleasant odors. Additionally, an animal that is cleaned using lessfluids (e.g., water), may cause the animal to be less wet, which maycause less of a mess, may make washing in cold weather lessuncomfortable for the animal, and may require less time waiting for theanimal to dry.

Further, it may become desirable to dry the animal after application ofcleaning products and water. However, conventional methods of dryingusing towels require the owner to engage in personal contact with manyparts of the animal, including at least a portion of the moist parts ofthe animal, and may further require a large number of towels to dry offthe animal. Alternatively, an owner may be required to procure aseparate drying device, which may pose additional problems for theowner, as well as restricts the locations for washing/drying to occur.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a newmethod of washing and maintaining the hygiene of an animal, including apet, regularly as well as provide a more effective, soothing cleansingexperience for the animal. Further, one or more embodiments of an animalcleaning tool disclosed herein may provide an improved washing andgrooming tool that aids an animal owner and/or caretaker to effectivelyclean and dry an animal in a relatively short amount of time (e.g., onthe order of 5-10 minutes in some cases). Further, one or moreembodiments of the animal cleaning tool disclosed herein may minimizethe use of water applied to a surface or coat of an animal while stillproviding a deep and thorough cleaning of the animal. By minimizing theamount of water applied to the surface of the animal, there may be agreat reduction or substantial elimination of any unwanted odorsassociated with the animal after being bathed and washed. Some of theadditional benefits and advantages of one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure are further discussed below.

Reference will now be made in detail to one or more embodimentsdiscussed above, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Throughout the drawings, like reference characters are used todesignate like elements. As used herein, the term “coupled” or“coupling” may indicate a connection. The connection may be a direct oran indirection connection between one or more items. Further, the term“set” as used herein may denote one or more of any item.

Turning to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an animalcleaning tool and a fluid supply unit having an air supply source and acleaning agent supply source in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the present disclosure. FIG. 2 shows an exemplary pictorialillustration of one or more components in the block diagram shown inFIG. 1 . It is noted that FIG. 3-12 may further include one or moreexemplary components shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1 and describedbelow.

In one or more embodiments, cleaning tool 20, as shown in FIG. 1 , maybe a tool or device that is adapted to wash, brush, and dry an animal,such as animal 10. Cleaning tool 20 may be interchangeably referred toin the present description as an “animal cleaning tool” or “animalcleaning device”. In one or more embodiments, an animal cleaning tool,such as animal cleaning tool 20 includes a top housing portion, such astop housing portion 38, as well as a bottom plate, such as bottom plate64 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 . Further, animal 10 may be any type of animalwithout limitation. In one or more embodiments, animal 10 may be anytype of household pet, including commonly known household pets, such asdogs and cats. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that in one or more embodiments cleaning tool 20 may also beused to cleanse and maintain the hygiene of humans in addition to petsand to other non-domesticated animals and farm animals (e.g., rabbits,horses, etc.).

In one or more embodiments, user 42 may include, without limitation, ananimal owner and/or animal caretaker. In one or more embodiments, user42 may include one or more individuals who may be professionallyemployed to care for and/or attend to animal 10, such as animalcleaners, washers, and staff/employees at veterinarian offices or otheranimal clinics and facilities. Animal cleaning tool 20 may beimplemented in any indoor or outdoor location, including withoutlimitation residences, businesses, salons or other washing facilities,hotels, parks, and camp sites.

In one or more embodiments, cleaning tool 20 may have a top housingportion 38. In one or more embodiments, top housing portion 38 may be asubstantially elongated body, such as, for exemplary purposes only, tophousing portion 38 as shown in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 4-10 . In one or moreembodiments, cleaning tool 20 may be substantially oval-shaped orrectangular shaped, which are non-limiting, illustrative examples ofshapes that cleaning tool 20 may take. Those of ordinary skill in theart will appreciate that cleaning tool 20 may be any shape, includingcircular, oblong, triangular, or a combination of any shape known tothose of ordinary skill in the art. Further, top housing portion may beL-shaped in one or more embodiments having a descending handle portionfor a user to grasp.

In one or more embodiments, top housing portion 38 may include a pair ofsidewalls (e.g., pair of sidewalls 74 as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 8-9 )may curve (e.g. inwardly and/or outwardly) along its sides and towardsthe center. The pair of sidewalls may thus take on a curved shapesimilar to a shape of a pointing device (e.g., a mouse) that people usewhile operating a computer or another electronic device. In one or moreembodiments, this curved shape of the sidewalls (e.g., sidewalls 74 inFIG. 4 and FIG. 8 -FIG. 9 ) of top housing portion 38 may advantageouslybetter enable a user, such as user 42 to grasp a top surface and a sidesurface of cleaning tool 20. Further, in one or more embodiments, thecurved shape may help ensure that user 42 is not injured or pained whileusing animal cleaning tool 20.

In one or more embodiments, a top surface (e.g., top surface 72 in FIG.4 ) of animal cleaning tool 20 may be held in the palm of a user's 42hand and may be used to wash, cleanse, and brush an outer surface ofanimal 10. In one or more embodiments, cleaning tool 20, including tophousing portion 38 and bottom plate 64, may be portable andtransportable from one location to another. Further, in one or moreembodiments, cleaning tool 20 may be compact so as to fit a hand of auser, such as user 42. In one or more embodiments, cleaning tool 20 maybe relatively lightweight. According to embodiments of the presentdisclosure, cleaning tool 20 may be specially adapted to be maneuveredover a body of animal 10. Animal cleaning tool 20 may be made of anymaterial known in the art, including any combination of materials, andmay include rigid portions composed of any material. Further, animalcleaning tool 20 may include elastic, flexible portions composed ofelastic materials known in the art (e.g., portions of animal cleaningtool 20 may be made of an elastic plastic or rubber).

In one or more embodiments, cleaning tool 20 may be coupled to a fluidsupply unit, such as fluid supply unit 34. In one or more embodiments,fluid supply unit 34 may include an air supply source, such as airsupply source 56, as well as a cleaning agent reservoir 32 that storesor retains cleaning agent 50, which is further discussed below. Inaddition, a supply hose, such as supply hose 26, may be coupled at oneof its ends to fluid supply unit 34 and also connected at its other endto an inlet (e.g., inlet 24) of animal cleaning tool 20. In one or moreembodiments, supply hose 26 may be substantially tubular hose that isadapted to transfer air, such as air 65, and cleaning agent, such ascleaning agent 50, from fluid supply unit 34 to animal cleaning tool 20.

Supply hose 26 may be any length without limitation herein. Those ofordinary skill in the art, and having the benefit of this DetailedDescription, will appreciate that supply hose 26 may be formed from anymaterial known in the art. In one or more embodiments, supply hose 26may be composed of a material having characteristics such as beingflexible or elastic, and may be configured to extend over a range ofdistance, which may advantageously provide a user with greater range ofmovement and/or maneuverability when using cleaning tool 20. Supply hose26 may be transparent or opaque in appearance, and may be of any coloror shape as desired.

Supply house 26 may include one or more connectors and/or adapters oneither end. In one or more embodiments, connectors or adaptors disposedon either end of supply hose 26 adapt to and connect to designatedconnection points on either animal cleaning tool 20 (including eithertop housing portion 38 or bottom plate 64) or fluid supply unit 34.

As discussed above, in one or more embodiments, fluid supply unit 34 maybe configured to include and/or operate as an air supply source. In oneor more embodiments, fluid supply unit 34 may include or may beconfigured as an air supply source, such as air supply source 56. In oneor more embodiments, air 65 may be supplied by fluid supply unit 34 toanimal cleaning tool 20 (e.g., via supply house 26). As is furtherdiscussed below, air 65 may be supplied to animal cleaning tool 20 sothat air 65 is flowed to animal cleaning tool 20 and directed or emittedfrom a designated location on an animal cleaning tool (e.g., bottomplate 64 and/or set of exit air openings 66 as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG.9 ) onto the hair or skin of animal 10. Accordingly, fluid supply unit34 may be configured to supply air (e.g., air 65) to animal cleaningtool 20.

Air 65 supplied by fluid supply unit 34 may be utilized in a number ofapplications, including without limitation, to dry off animal 10 such aswhen animal 10 may be wet. Further, air 65 supplied by fluid supply unit34 (e.g., via air supply source 56) may be used to blow air 65 onto asurface of an animal 10 in order to remove excess or unwanted particlesfrom a surface of animal 10, such as without limitation, water, dirt,hair or fur (in order to de-shed animal 10), and even excess cleaningagent (e.g., cleaning agent 50). Further, air 65 may also be blown ontoanimal 10 using animal cleaning tool 20 to assist in blowing off and/orremoving ticks or fleas that may be located on animal 10. In addition tothe above, another exemplary application of air 65 may be to providecool air or hot air on a surface of animal 10 whereby air 65 may becooled or heated when emitted from animal cleaning tool 20. Furthermore,as further discussed below, in one or more embodiments, air 65 may bedirected to animal cleaning tool 20 and used to produce an atomizedspray 104, whereby cleaning agent 50 is distributed onto a surface of ananimal 10 as a spray of fine or small particles.

Fluid supply unit 34 may include, in one or more embodiments, an airsupply source that may produce air at any psi (pound per square inch)that is suitable or desired. In one or more embodiments, a pressuregauge may be located on fluid supply unit 34 that indicates the pressureat which air 65 is being released from fluid supply unit 34, and air 65may be emitted at a range from low to high pressure as needed.

Furthermore, fluid supply unit 34 may include a number ofelectromechanical components for circulating and directing air fromfluid supply unit 34 to animal cleaning tool 20, and further includewiring to provide an electrical connection between one or morecomponents of fluid supply unit 34. In one or more embodiments, fluidsupply unit 34 may include or be configured as, without limitation, anair blower, a fan, an air compressor, a vacuum, or may include anycombination thereof, any or all of which may be powered using one ormore electric motors (e.g., a speed-controlled motor), which arediscussed in greater detail below. Fluid supply unit 34 may beconfigured of any size and any suitable dimensions, and may beconfigured to hold any volume of air. In one or more embodiment, thefluid supply unit 34 may include a tank for storing air, for examplepurposes only, fluid supply unit 34 may include a 1.5 gallon tank forstoring air. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatlarger or smaller sized tanks may be included in fluid supply unit 34.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, fans and blowers areelectromechanical devices that may be used to circulate air. In general,an air blower may be known as an electromechanical device thatcirculates and channels air to a specific area or location, while a fancirculates airflow to an overall, more generalized area. Fluid supplyunit 34 may include one or more air blowers that may be configured ascentrifugal blowers or positive displacement blowers in one or moreembodiments. Other types of air blowers may be utilized withoutlimitation in the assembly or configuration of fluid supply unit 34.

In one or more embodiments, fluid supply unit 34 may include one or morefans to direct air. A fan may be a machine that is used to create flowwithin a fluid, such as air. A fan, such as a fan included in fluidsupply unit 34 in one or more embodiments, may include vanes or bladesthat rotate and act on air, and include one or more impellers or rotors.Impellers included in fluid supply unit 34 may help in directing the airflow, and producing air at low pressure.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, a fan that is included influid supply unit 34 may be powered by one or more electric motors. Asan example, the electric motor may be a speed-controlled motor. As usedherein, in one or more embodiments of the invention, a speed-controlledmotor is an electric motor whose speed of rotation (i.e., motor speed)may be controlled. In one or more embodiments of the invention, therotation of a speed-controlled motor is controlled by dividing a singlerotation of the motor into any number of discrete steps, each being aportion of a full rotation. In other embodiments of the invention, therotation of a speed-controlled motor may be controlled by controllingthe level of electrical power provided to the motor. Any other method ofcontrolling motor rotation speed may be used without departing from thescope of the invention. For example, a motor control unit may be used tocontrol the speed of the motor. In one or more embodiments of theinvention, controlling the rotation speed of the speed-controlled motormay allow the motor to start at a relatively slow speed, which maycorrespond to a relatively reduced volume, and be progressivelyincreased at any rate while the motor is being operated. Such volumecontrol may cause an animal to be less frightened of the device andallow the animal to gradually become accustomed to increasing levels ofmotor noise. Alternatively, other types of motors may be used as knownin the art, including without limitation hydraulic motors.

Further, a fan that is included in fluid supply unit 34 as an air supplysource may be, without limitation, an axial flow fan, a centrifugal fan,or a cross flow fan. Fluid supply unit 34 may include an air supplysource having a variety of sizes, energy efficiency, and airflow.

In one or more embodiments, fluid supply unit 34 may include an air tank67 for storing air 65. Air 65 may be directed in through one or moreinlet points, such as, without limitation, one or more intake ventsand/or filters. Further, in one or more embodiments, fluid supply unit34 may include or be configured as an air compressor to supplypressurized air 65 to animal cleaning tool 20. In one or moreembodiments of the invention, an air compressor may be a machine thatcompresses air. Further, an air compressor may incorporate or utilizeone or more fans and/or blowers. An air compressor may take air into anintake port on a compressor pump, and, using mechanical means (e.g.,pistons, screws, rotary sliding vanes), pushes the air into a smallerarea. As additional air is pushed into the smaller area (e.g. air tank67 located in fluid supply unit 34) the pressure may continue toincrease inside the air tank 67 until a maximum air pressure is reached.The air compressor may be configured to take in air and compress the airas needed when a level of air within the air tank 67 has dropped to aminimum level upon use.

In one or more embodiments, fluid supply unit 34 may be configured toinclude or to operate as an air compressor that intakes air, compressesthe air, and stores the compressed air in an air tank (e.g., air tank67) located within the fluid supply unit 34. When the fluid supply unit34 is activated, the compressed air may be directed to one or moreconduits that supply the compressed air to the animal cleaning tool(e.g., air supply conduit 52 in supply hose 26).

Air 65 may be stored as compressed air or as uncompressed air. The airtank located in fluid supply unit 34 may be of any size to hold anyvolume of air. In one or more embodiments, fluid supply unit 34 mayinclude an air tank that holds at least 20 gallons of air.

Further, fluid supply unit 34 may include a power supply 36 to providepower to one or more motors (e.g., a speed-controlled motor as describedabove) included within fluid supply unit 34. Fluid supply unit 34 may bepowered by electrical energy source such as, for example, that providedfrom an outlet (e.g., power may be supplied through an electrical powercord as shown in FIG. 2 ). In other embodiments, fluid supply unit 34may be powered through any source of power, including withoutlimitation, rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries included in fluidsupply unit 34, gas power, or any other type of fuel. Solar poweredenergy cells may also be included in one or more embodiments in fluidsupply unit 34. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, fluid supplyunit 34 may include an attachment or an outlet that is configured to beplugged into a power outlet of a vehicle, such as an automobile, suchthat fluid supply unit 34 may be powered by a vehicle battery. Those ofordinary skill in the art, and having the benefit of this DetailedDescription, will appreciate that any number of ways may be used topower fluid supply unit 34.

Fluid supply unit 34 may include a housing 46. Fluid unit housing 46 maybe an outer structure or enclosure that encloses and protects internalcomponents of fluid supply unit 34. Internal components of fluid supplyunit 34 may include any number of electrical and/or non-electricalcomponents, including motors (e.g., speed-controlled motors), impellers,pumps, valves, pipes or conduits, or tanks.

To control airflow originating from fluid supply unit 34, a regulator,such as airflow regulator 30 may be included with fluid supply unit 34.Regulator 30 may be configured to control a pressure associated with theairflow of air 65, including increasing or decreasing a volume of airprovided by fluid supply unit 34. Further, in some embodiments,regulator 30 may be configured to control the velocity, the pressuresetting, and/or a temperature of the air provided by fluid supply unit34. Thus, in some embodiments, fluid supply unit 34 may be configured toheat or cool air dispensed or directed to animal cleaning tool 20. Forexample, in one or more embodiments of the invention, the regulator 30may include flow control valve that controls a flow of water from awater reservoir for cooling the air, which may be controlled by a user.In one or more embodiments of the invention, the water reservoir may bepressurized to between 1.5 and 2 pounds per square inch, and opening theflow control valve may allow for water to enter and cool a flow of air.

In some embodiments, fluid supply unit 34 may further include a cleaningagent regulator 31 to control the flow of cleaning agent 50 released tosupply hose 26 and/or cleaning agent supply conduit 54.

In one or more embodiments, regulator 30 may be any type of selector,including a dial, button, knob, trigger, or another selector known inthe art. Regulator 30 may be configured to decrease or increase air flowvelocity and/or pressure from fluid supply unit 34. In one or moreembodiments, regulator 30 may be disposed anywhere on an outer surfaceof fluid supply unit housing 46. Alternatively, regulator 30 may bedisposed on cleaning tool 20 or more than one regulator may be locatedon both fluid supply unit 34 and cleaning tool 20.

It is in keeping with the present disclosure that, in one or moreembodiments, fluid supply unit 34 may be useful as a portable unit(i.e., may be moveable from one location to another and not fixed to asupporting structure). Accordingly, in one or more embodiments, fluidsupply unit 34 may include a base, such as fluid supply unit base 48.Fluid supply unit base 48 may provide a surface or base upon which fluidsupply unit 34 may rest when placed over a support surface, including alower surface such as, on a floor surface, ground surface, furnituresurface, or any other type of surface. Advantageously, the portabilityof fluid supply unit 34 in one or more embodiments enables a user 42 thefreedom to move fluid supply unit 34 from place to place to use anywherethat is convenient to user 42. Further, animal owners are not restrictedto designated areas at one's house or backyard, but rather may use fluidsupply unit 34 to clean an animal directly after the animal may becomedirty in any setting, including at a park or play area. In one or moreembodiments, wheels may be attached to fluid supply unit base 48 toassist in the movement and maneuverability of fluid supply unit 34.

Accordingly, in one or more embodiments where fluid supply unit 34 isportable, fluid supply unit 34 may include a handle assembly 44, whichmay provide a convenient means for gripping and moving fluid supply unit34 from one location to another. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 2 , handle assembly 44 may be disposed on a top outer surface offluid supply unit housing 46. Nevertheless, those of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate that handle assembly 44 may be disposed anywhereon fluid supply unit 34 and fashioned as any type of handle assemblyknown to those of ordinary skill in the art.

In one or more embodiments, fluid supply unit 34 may be non-portable(e.g., as shown in FIG. 7 and described further below). Accordingly, inone or more alternative embodiments, fluid supply unit 34 may be fixedor mounted to any support structure, including any horizontal orvertical structure, such as a pole, column, or wall. Alternatively, inone or more embodiments, fluid supply unit 34 may be fixed to ahorizontal support structure, such as the ground or one or moreadditional horizontal structures, such that fluid supply unit 34 is notportable. Further, in one or more embodiments, if included, fluid supplyunit base 48 may be permanently fixed to another surface or structure,including any vertical or horizontally oriented support surface.

Fluid supply unit 34 may be composed of any type of material known inthe art. While it may be beneficial for internal components of fluidsupply unit 34 to be composed of one or more metals (e.g., stainlesssteel, aluminum, iron, or any combination thereof or other type ofmetal), it may be preferable, in some embodiments, for housing 46 offluid supply unit 34 to be made of plastic and/or polymers, in order forfluid supply unit 34 to be more lightweight. Nevertheless, the materialused to form the outer housing and/or internal structure and componentsof fluid supply unit 34 is not limited to any particular material in thepresent disclosure. Further, fluid supply unit 34 may be of any shape orsize.

In one or more embodiments, fluid supply unit 34 may include cleaningagent reservoir 32. Cleaning agent reservoir 32 may be a receptacle orstorage container configured to contain and store cleaning agent 50. Inone or more embodiments, cleaning agent reservoir 32 may be a receptaclelocated or formed within fluid supply unit 34. Alternatively, in one ormore embodiments, cleaning agent reservoir 32 may be a receptacle thatis coupled to the housing 46 of fluid supply unit 34. In one or moreembodiments, cleaning agent reservoir 32 may be removable.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , cleaning agent reservoir 32 may be disposedon an outer surface of fluid supply unit housing 46. In otherembodiments, cleaning agent reservoir 32 may be disposed internallywithin fluid supply unit 34. Cleaning agent 50 may be provided andstored in cleaning agent reservoir 32 for further distribution anddispensation to animal cleaning tool 20. In one or more embodiments,cleaning agent reservoir 32 may include any type of lid, cap, or coverto contain cleaning agent 50 within cleaning agent reservoir 32.

Alternatively, in other embodiments, cleaning agent reservoir such ascleaning agent reservoir 32 may be stored, instead of in the fluidsupply unit 34, in a portion of animal cleaning tool 20. For example, inone or more embodiments, cleaning agent reservoir 32 may be located inthe top housing portion 38 of animal cleaning tool 20, and may beactivated to be dispensed from the top housing portion 38 of animalcleaning tool 20. Thus, in such an embodiment, cleaning agent 32 may bepoured or located within a designated storage location in top housingportion 38 of animal cleaning tool 20, and upon activation, cleaningagent 50 may be directed to one or more distribution points of tophousing portion 38, including cleaning agent supply conduit 62 and/ornozzle dispensation end 108.

In one or more embodiments, cleaning agent 50 may also be described as acleaning product including without limitation, a soap, shampoo,detergent, or any other type of cleaner. In one or more embodiments,cleaning agent 50 may be a solution having cleansing properties that maybe particularly suited for cleaning the coat, hair, fur, and/or skin ofanimal 10. The term “solution” as used in the present description mayencompass all such terms as “composition,” “formulation,” “mixtures,”“emulsions,” and “solutions” and such terms are used interchangeablyherein.

In one or more embodiments, cleaning agent 50 may be in liquid form.Alternatively, in other embodiments, cleaning agent 50 may be innon-liquid form, including, for example, a type of powder and/or dryshampoo. In one or more embodiments, cleaning agent 50 may be stored incleaning agent reservoir 32 and/or released from the animal cleaningtool 20 in any form as known in the art including as an emulsion, acream, a lotion, a spray, a gel, including without limitation as a foamgel.

According to one or more embodiments, cleaning agent 50 may be a shampooand may include among its ingredients in its formulation water,detergents, foam boosters, thickeners, conditioning agents,preservatives, modifiers, and/or special additives. In some embodiments,cleaning agent 50 may include deionized water, which is speciallytreated to remove various particles and ions.

Typically, shampoos are composed of a high percentage of water thattends to range between 70% to 80%. It has been found in the presentdisclosure that it may be beneficial to minimize the amount of waterused when cleaning or bathing an animal, such as animal 10 in order toreduce the drying time needed for the water to dry off a surface ofanimal 10, as well as to reduce the possibility of the water becomingstagnant and developing unpleasant odors. Accordingly, it has beendiscovered herein that it may be beneficial to minimize or reduce thepercentage of water contained in cleaning agent 50 (e.g., as compared toconventional shampoos). Accordingly, in one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure, cleaning agent 50 may contain a reduced amount ofwater. For example, in one or more embodiments, cleaning agent 50 maycontain less than 70% of water in the total composition of cleaningagent 50. In an exemplary system, the percentage of water included incleaning agent 50 may be determined as a percentage by weight (i.e.,weight percentage or weight %).

In one or more embodiments, cleaning agent 50 may contain about 30% ofwater to about 40% of water. In other embodiments, cleaning agent 50 maycontain about 50% of water to about 55% of water. In yet otherembodiments, cleaning agent 50 may contain about 55% of water to 65% ofwater. Notwithstanding the above, in alternative embodiments, any typeof cleaning agent may be disposed within cleaning agent reservoir 32,including cleaning agents having a higher percentage of water than 70%.

In addition to the above-mentioned ingredients, in one or moreembodiments, cleaning agent 50 may include other additives such asfragrances or scents that emit a pleasant odor. Alternatively, cleaningagent 50 may be fragrance free and odorless so as not to irritate anyallergies or sensitivities of animal 10 and/or user 42. Additionally, inone or more embodiments, cleaning agent 50 may include medication fortreatment of fleas, skin conditions and irritations, and/or otherparasites that may become problematic on an outer surface of a pet oranimal, such as animal 10. Further, certain types of cleaning agent 50may be particularly selected by user 42 to suit a particular type ofanimal 10.

In one or more embodiments, cleaning agent 50 may be distributed fromfluid supply unit 34 and made to flow from fluid supply unit 34 throughsupply hose 26 and into an inlet 24 of animal cleaning tool 20. In oneor more embodiments, fluid supply unit 34 may include any number ofpumps and/or tubes for moving cleaning agent 50 from cleaning agentreservoir 32 to supply hose 26.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, supply hose 26 maybe removeably coupled to an outlet of fluid supply unit 34 (e.g., outlet28 as shown in FIG. 2 ) at an outer opening located at one end of supplyhose 26. Further, supply hose 26 may also be removeably coupled to aninlet of cleaning tool 20 (e.g. inlet 24 shown in FIG. 2 ) at anotherend of supply hose 26. In one or more embodiments, inlet 24 of cleaningtool 20 may be an opening defining a hole or cavity that provides entryor access into an internal cavity 58 of cleaning tool 20, and inparticular, an internal cavity 58 of top housing portion 38. It may beuseful for supply hose 26 to be removable for purposes of cleaning outan interior of supply hose 26 or to perform maintenance and repair onone or more components of supply hose 26.

In one or more embodiments, supply hose 26 may be threadably coupled ateach of its ends to an outlet of fluid supply unit 34 and to an inlet 24of cleaning tool 20. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat in other embodiments, supply hose 26 may be coupled using any meansknown in the art, including through any type of fasteners (e.g., screws,clips, pins), adhesives, welding, or other coupling methods and tools.In one or more embodiments, both ends of supply hose 26 may snap ontorespective receiving portions of fluid supply unit 34 and cleaning tool20. Further, in one or more embodiments, supply hose 26 may be affixedthrough more permanent means to an outlet of fluid supply unit 34.

In one or more embodiments, supply hose 26 may be configured to encloseat least two conduits or pipes, such as air supply conduit 52 andcleaning agent supply conduit 59. Accordingly, in some embodiments,supply hose 26 may act as an outer housing that encloses one or moreconduits that pass through an internal cavity of supply hose 26. Thus,supply hose 26 may include at least two conduits (e.g., 52 and 59) insome embodiments. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat more or less conduits may be disposed within hose 26 in alternativeembodiments as needed.

In one or more embodiments, a first conduit, such as air supply conduit52 may be used to channel and move air 65 provided from an air supplysource in fluid supply unit 34 to animal cleaning tool 20. Further, inone or more embodiments, a second conduit, such as cleaning agent supplyconduit 59 may be used to channel cleaning agent 50 from a cleaningagent reservoir, such as cleaning agent reservoir 32 to animal cleaningtool 20. Thus, in one or more embodiments, air 65 provided by an airsupply source in fluid supply unit 34 (e.g., air supply source 56) maybe in fluid communication with air supply conduit 52 and cleaning agent50 may be in fluid communication with cleaning agent supply conduit 59.

It may be beneficial for supply hose 26 to enclose conduits 52 and 59 sothat the user 42 is not manipulating multiple conduits while alsomaneuvering cleaning tool 20 over a body of animal 10. Rather, in one ormore embodiments, supply hose 26 may enclose conduits 52 and 59 forincreased ease of movement. An added benefit may be that supply hose 26may protect the exterior surfaces of conduits 52 and 59 from any damagethat may occur due to prolonged contact during use with one or morerough surfaces (e.g., such as a ground surface) and possible draggingagainst such surfaces.

Alternatively, supply hose 26 may be formed as a dual conduit hose,having one side or conduit of the dual conduit hose dedicated tochanneling cleaning agent 50 to cleaning tool 20 and the other side ofthe dual conduit hose dedicated to channeling air 65 from fluid supplyunit 34 to animal cleaning tool 20.

As discussed above, in one or more embodiments, animal cleaning tool 20includes a top housing portion 38 that may be particularly adapted tobeing held in a palm of a user's 42 hands. In some embodiments, cleaningtool 20 may further include an internal cavity 58. In one or moreembodiments, at least two conduits may be disposed within internalcavity 58. For example, air supply conduit 60 and cleaning agent conduit62 may be located within internal cavity 58 of cleaning tool 20 (e.g. asshown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 ). Thus, air supply conduit 60 of cleaningtool 20 may be in fluid communication with air supply conduit 52 aslocated within or formed as a conduit of supply hose 26. Further,cleaning agent conduit 62 may be in fluid communication with cleaningagent conduit 59 as located either within, or, in some embodiments,formed as a secondary conduit of supply hose 26.

In one or more embodiments, cleaning tool 20 may include a bottom plate64. FIG. 4 and FIG. 8 show non-limiting, pictorial illustrations ofbottom plate 64. In one embodiment, bottom plate 64 may be removeablyattached to a bottom surface of cleaning tool 20. Thus, when bottomplate 64 is coupled to a bottom surface of a top housing portion 38 ofcleaning tool 20, the internal cavity 58 of the top housing portion 38may not be visible to user 42 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4 ).

It may be beneficial to have bottom plate 64 be removeably coupled to abottom surface of cleaning tool 20, so as to be able to clean theinterior o of cleaning tool 20 as well as to conduct any repairs ormaintenance needed. Accordingly, bottom plate 64 may be affixed to abottom surface of top housing portion 38 using any type of affixationmeans. In one or more embodiments, any fasteners known in the art may beused to affix bottom plate 64, including without limitation, screws,pins, clips, and other useful fasteners. Such fasteners (e.g., fasteners71 shown in FIG. 4 ) may be engaged or located in one or more fastenerholes 70 located on an outer and/or inner surface of bottom plate 64 andused to removeably couple bottom plate 64 to a bottom surface of tophousing portion 38.

In other embodiments, bottom plate 64 may be permanently affixed to atop housing portion 38 of animal cleaning tool 20 so as not to beremovable. In such embodiments, cleaning tool 20 may be integrallyformed as a whole body having an internal cavity with one or moreconduits for cleaning agent 50 and air 65 to be directed to, such as airsupply conduit 60 and cleaning agent supply conduit 62. Alternatively,bottom plate 64 may be adapted to snap onto and engage with a bottomsurface of top housing portion 38. Thus, bottom plate 64 may be snappedon and snapped off.

In one or more embodiments, bottom plate 64 may include a set ofbrushing elements 40 and a set of exit air openings 66. FIG. 4 and FIG.8 may provide more detailed (non-limiting) views of an embodiment ofbottom plate 64 for further clarification. It is noted that the term“set” as used herein may refer to one or more items. Thus, a “set” mayrefer to a singular item or to more than one item.

In one or more embodiments, a set of brushing elements 40 may protrudefrom an outer surface of bottom plate 64. The term “brushing elements”as used in the present description may be interchangeably referred to asbristles, such as those that may be located on an outer surface of abrush and may be used to engage with hair, fur, and the like. As knownin the art, bristles may come in many forms. Bristles may be formed asshort, stiff hairs that protrude from a brushing surface. In otherembodiments, bristles may be formed of metal, plastic, rubber, or anytype of material known in the art. In one or more embodiments, set ofbrushing elements 40 may be formed as conical elements that protrudefrom a brushing surface of a brush. In other embodiments, set ofbrushing elements 40 may be spherical or circular shaped protrusionsthat extend from an outer surface of bottom plate 64. As stated above,there is no limitation as to the form, shape, size, material, or type ofbrushing elements 40 that may be disposed on and protrude from an outersurface of bottom plate 64. A set of brushing elements 40 may be anyshape, including circular, triangular, rectangular, or any other shapesuitable to their application. Further, in one or more embodiments,bottom plate 64 may be configured to rotate. Alternatively, a separaterotational brush attachment (not shown) may be coupled to bottom plate64 in one or more embodiments. Further, set of brushing elements 40 maybe arranged to protrude outwardly from a bottom surface of cleaning tool20 in any pattern or order, and may be adapted for brushing the outersurface of animal 10. Further, a set of brushing elements 40 may beformed as having the same or varying lengths.

Depending on what type of animal (i.e., its genus and/or species),animal 10 may have hair or fur located above its outer layers of skin.The outer surface of hair or fur of animal 10 may also be referred to asa “coat.” According to one or more embodiments, set of brushing elements40 may be used to brush the coat of animal 10, including brushingcleaning agent 50 into the coat of animal 10 in order to clean andmaintain the hygiene of animal 10, according to one or more methods ofthe present disclosure. Subsequent to being used to brush animal 10, inone or more embodiments, any hair or fur from animal 10 that may becomelodged between the set of brushing elements 40 may be pulled out andremoved so as to keep the set of brushing elements 40 free of anyaccumulated hair, fur, or debris.

The set of brushing elements 40 may be configured for making directcontact and engage with an outer surface of animal 10. Advantageously,the set of brushing elements 40 may make contact with an outer surfaceof animal 10 so that user 42 may avoid physically touching and/orengaging in extensive physical contact with the animal 10, especiallywhen animal 10 may be dirty, wet, or in any other condition.

In one or more embodiments, bottom plate 64 may include a set of exitair openings 66. In one or more embodiments, a set of exit air openings66 may be a set of apertures or openings from which air 65 may beejected or emitted. A non-limiting, illustrative embodiment of a set ofexit air openings 66 is shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 8-9 . A set of exit airopenings 66 may be distributed as a set of smaller holes closely spacedtogether or as a set of holes that are spaced farther apart. FIG. 4shows an exemplary, non-limiting, illustrative embodiment, whereby a setof exit air openings 66 are arranged as a first group of five openingsclosely spaced together that are axially aligned with a second grouplocated beneath the first group, whereby the second group also includefive holes or openings that are arranged closely spaced together. FIG. 9shows another non-limiting, illustrative embodiment whereby set of exitair openings 66 may be arranged as a set of four holes closely spacedtogether. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that set ofexit air openings 66 may be distributed in any pattern or arrangement onan outer surface of bottom plate 64. Set of exit air openings 66 may beformed of any diameter and/or size. Further, any number of exit airopenings may be arranged on an outer surface of bottom plate 64 andconfigured for releasing air 65.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in someembodiments, there may be a single exit air opening 66 disposed on abottom plate 64 that is configured for air 65 to flow through and beejected therefrom. For example, in some embodiments, there may be asingle exit air opening 66 having any diameter and/or size, and may belocated anywhere on bottom plate 64 to allow air 65 to flow through.

As discovered herein, in one or more embodiments, it may be beneficialfor cleaning agent 50 to be dispensed in atomized form as an atomizedspray 104 onto animal 10. As used herein, atomization refers to theprocess of providing cleaning agent 10 as a fine spray of particles ordroplets. The terms “particles” or “droplets” may be interchangeablyused herein. Atomization refers to the process of breaking up bulkliquids into droplets. Atomized spray 104 may also be described as acollection of droplets.

As previously discussed, most conventional cleaning methods andtechniques tend to involve pouring or releasing an excessive amount ofsoap, shampoo, and/or water onto a surface of an animal, such as animal10. It has been discovered herein that by atomizing cleaning agent 50into a fine spray of droplets that the cleansing process becomes moreefficient and saves the animal owner a great deal of time as well asreducing the amount of excessive soap and water released onto a surfaceof animal 10. Animal cleaning tool 20 is configured to thoroughly andeffectively brush the atomized spray 104 of particles into a surface ofthe animal 10, whereby atomized spray 104 provides the cleansingproperties of cleaning agent 50 without requiring excessive time andeffort to rinse out an overabundance of cleaning agent 50 and/or water.Further, the experience of being cleaned and bathed may be more pleasantfor animal 10 as compared to conventional tools and cleansing methods,because the animal 10 is not being soaked with large quantities of waterand cleaning agent.

In one or more embodiments, animal cleaning 20 is configured to atomizecleaning agent 50 using air spray atomization. Air spray or airatomization is a process by which fluid (e.g., cleaning agent 50) mayemerge or be ejected from a nozzle disposed in animal cleaning tool 20(e.g., nozzle 69) at a relatively low speed and is surrounded by a highspeed stream of air (e.g. air 65). The relatively high speed stream ofair (e.g., air 65) may be provided by an air compressor or air blower aslocated in fluid supply unit 34. Air atomization utilizes air pressure,which may be regulated using one or more regulators (e.g., air flowregulator 30). Further, user 42 may regulate the flow rate of cleaningagent 50 independently of the flow rate of air 65.

To atomize cleaning agent 50 using air spray atomization, in one or moreembodiments, a fluid release cap 90 may be included with animal cleaningtool 20. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show an example of a fluid release cap suchas fluid release cap 90. FIG. 3 shows an exemplary, non-limiting,pictorial illustration of a fluid release cap 90 that may be used in oneor more embodiments of an animal cleaning tool 20, including the one ormore embodiments shown in FIG. 9-12 . In one or more embodiments, fluidrelease cap 90 may be fit within an opening of bottom plate 64 so as toextend from one side of bottom plate to the other side of bottom plate64.

As shown in FIG. 3 , fluid release cap 90 may be a cap having a body 302that includes a set of air cap holes 91. As shown in FIG. 3 , set of aircap holes 91 are arranged circumferentially around a central aperture 89and are holes or openings through which air, such as air 65, may beemitted. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that thereis no limitation herein with respect to the location of central aperture89 or set of air cap holes 91. In one or more embodiments, more or lessair cap holes 91 than those shown in FIG. 3 may be used. As shown inFIG. 3 and elsewhere, fluid release cap 90 may have a generally circularor cylindrical shape. Alternatively, fluid release cap 90 may have anyother shape as desired.

Fluid release cap 90 may be removeably coupled to bottom plate 64 andmay be threaded (e.g., via threads 304) to a designated location in tophousing portion 38 of animal cleaning tool 20. When fluid release cap 90is located in its place, outer surface 308 of fluid release cap 90 maybe oriented to the surface of an animal 10 and may be directed to faceoutwardly from bottom plate 64. A bottom surface 306 of fluid releasecap 90 may be oriented towards an interior of top housing portion 38 andmay be fitted through an appropriately, suitably sized opening dedicatedto fluid release cap 90, whereby the suitably sized opening is locatedin bottom plate 64.

In one or more embodiments, fluid release cap 90 may be removeablycoupled to one or more exit cleaning agent tubes(s) 96 that are in fluidcommunication with cleaning agent supply conduit 62 in top housingportion 38. Other means known in the art for coupling fluid release cap90 may be used including without limitation one or more fasteners,adhesives, and/or welding. In one or more embodiments, fluid release cap90 may be integrally formed with top housing portion 38 or bottom plate64.

Fluid release cap aperture 89, in one or more embodiments, may becentrally located on an outer surface 308 of fluid release cap 90. Inone or more embodiments, a dispensation end 108 of nozzle 69 may extendthrough the fluid release cap aperture 89. In one or more embodiments,nozzle 69 may be a precision device that facilitates dispersion ofliquid into a spray. Nozzle 69 may be any type of nozzle as known in theart, including without limitation a single fluid nozzle, a plain-orificenozzle, a shaped-orifice nozzle, a surface-impingement single-fluidnozzle, or a pressure swirl spray nozzle to name some exemplary nozzleswithout limitation.

In one or more embodiments, a base end 106 or bottom portion of nozzle69 may be fastened to or fit into an end or release point for cleaningagent supply conduit 62 (e.g., end opening of exit cleaning agent tube86 as shown in FIG. 6 or in nozzle 1004 in FIG. 10 ). Nozzle 69 may beof any size, but in one or more embodiments, may be relatively small inheight. Nozzle 69 may be selected to release droplets of any size.Nozzle may be removeably or non-removeably coupled to an end of cleaningagent supply conduit 62.

During operation, in one or more embodiments, a base end 106 of nozzle69 may be fit into an end opening of cleaning agent conduit 62 (e.g.,end opening of exit cleaning agent tube 86 as shown in FIG. 6 or innozzle aperture 1004 in FIG. 10 ) while the dispensing end of nozzle 69may extend through fluid release cap aperture 89. Air may be releasedthrough set of air cap holes 91 as cleaning agent 50 is emitted fromdispensation end 108 of nozzle 69 (e.g. nozzle 69 as shown in FIG. 9 ).As shown in FIG. 3 , air 65 may be ejected from each one of the set ofair cap holes 91 that are arranged around fluid release cap aperture 89(i.e., dispensation end of 108 of nozzle 69 when nozzle 69 is in place).

Further, in one or more embodiments, fluid release cap 90 may includeair hole members 93. As shown in FIG. 3 , air hole members 93 arestructural members that include in an exemplary, non-limiting embodimenta set of two air cap holes on each of the air hole members 93 bodies.The air hole members 93 may protrude outwardly in a vertical orientationfrom an outer surface 308 of fluid release cap 90. During operation,when nozzle 69 is in place and the air has been activated to be releasedthrough air supply conduits 52 and 60, air 65 may also be emitted fromthe set of air cap holes disposed on air hole members 93. Thus, aconcentrated volume of air is directed towards cleaning agent 50 ascleaning agent is being ejected from the dispensing end 108 of nozzle 69(e.g., as shown in FIG. 9 ). It may be beneficial to include air holemembers 93 and set of air cap holes to atomize cleaning agent 50 as anatomized spray 104 (i.e., as a spray of particles or droplets). Cleaningagent 50 may thus be emitted onto a surface of an animal as a spray ofparticles or droplets as opposed to a clump, glob, blob, or puddle ofcleaning agent 50 on the animal 10's various parts. Thus, a benefit asdiscovered herein using animal cleaning tool 20 is reduced liquiditywhile washing animal 10. The combination of cleaning agent 50 and airprovides a light, airy application of atomized spray 104 as smalldroplets so as to allow the owner to control the liquidity distributedonto a surface of animal 10. In other words, even though cleaning agent50 is emitted onto animal's 10 coat, skin, hair, or fur, the additionalspray of air reduces the potential or prevents from an over-depositingof cleaning agent 50 because the cleaning agent 50 may be emitted indroplet form. Further, in one or more methods of using animal cleaningtool 20, an owner may brush the surface of the animal as atomized spray104 is emitted, thus allowing the owner to quickly and efficiently brushthe atomized spray 104 into the surface of the animal 10 such that theatomized spray 104 is evenly distributed over the entirety of ananimal's 10 surface.

While a method using air spray atomization has been described above,other atomization methods and techniques may also be used such as,without limitation, airless atomization, centrifugal atomization,electrostatic atomization, or ultrasonic atomization. The following is abrief description of these above-listed methods. Airless (or pressure)atomization may occur when high pressure forces fluid through arelatively small nozzle. The fluid (e.g., cleaning agent 50) may emergeas a solid stream or sheet at a high speed. The friction between thefluid and the air may act to disrupt the stream, breaking the streaminto fragments initially and ultimately into droplets.

Centrifugal atomization, also known as rotary atomization, may occurwhen a nozzle, such as nozzle 69 introduces fluid (e.g., cleaning agent50) at the center of a spinning cup or disk (not shown). Centrifugalforce may carry the fluid to the edge of the disk and throw the fluidoff of the edge. The liquid may form ligaments or sheets that break intodroplets. As known in the art, the energy source for rotary atomizationis centrifugal force. In one or more embodiments, animal cleaning tool20 may include components for centrifugal atomization to occur.

Electrostatic atomization exposes a fluid to an intense electric fieldbetween a charged atomizer and ground work piece. The charge transfersto the fluid and repulsive forces between the atomizer and the fluidtear the droplets from the atomizer and send them toward the worksurface. With respect to ultrasonic atomization, ultrasonic atomizationrelies on an electromechanical device that vibrates at a very highfrequency. Fluid (e.g., cleaning agent 50) may pass over the vibratingsurface and vibration may cause the fluid to break into droplets. Thus,one or more embodiments of an animal cleaning tool 20 may utilize any ofthese alternative methods for atomization.

With respect to an activation mechanism, in one or more embodiments, atleast one or more activation mechanism(s) 22 may be located on cleaningtool 20. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 8 , in one or more embodiments, atleast one activation mechanism 22 may be disposed anywhere on an outersurface of cleaning tool 20. In an exemplary, non-limiting, illustrativeembodiment, FIG. 2 shows activation mechanism 22 disposed on an outersurface of top housing portion 38. Activation mechanism 22 may beconfigured as any type of selector known to those of ordinary skill inthe art, and may be configured as a button, trigger, knob, toggle,release, or any other type of selector known to those in the art thatmay be used to control one or more functions of the cleaning tool 20. Inone or more embodiments, a user, such as user 42, may select activationmechanism 22 in order to activate a release of air 65, cleaning agent50, or both air 65 and cleaning agent 50 from cleaning tool 20 onto asurface of animal 10 in order to wash, clean, and also dry a moistand/or dirty outer surface of animal 10. Alternatively, in one or moreembodiments, activation mechanism 22 may be configured to solelyactivate a release of cleaning agent 50 from fluid supply unit 34 tocleaning tool 20, whereas a separate selector (e.g., selector 21) may belocated on fluid supply unit 34 to activate a release of air 65. Inother embodiments, an activation mechanism, such as activation mechanism22 that is located on animal cleaning tool 20 may also be configured toturn on/off fluid supply unit 34.

As known by those of ordinary skill, control circuit wiring may becoupled between activation mechanism 22 and fluid supply unit 34 suchthat activation mechanism 22 may be in signal communication with fluidsupply unit 34 and power supply 36. Electrical wiring (not shown butreadily understood by those of ordinary skill) may also run from theactivation mechanism 22 to fluid supply unit 34 and one or morecomponents of fluid supply unit 34 in order for activation mechanism 22to perform an activation function. For example, in one or moreembodiments, wiring may run from activation mechanism 22 to one or morecomponents (including electrical components) of fluid supply unit 34such that activation mechanism 22 may be used to either turn on/offfluid supply unit 34, and/or for activation mechanism 22 to releasecleaning agent 55 from fluid supply unit 34 to animal cleaning tool 20and one or more conduits, and/or for activation mechanism 22 to alsorelease air 65 from fluid supply unit 34 to one or more conduits.Electrical wiring may also be included in animal cleaning tool 20 toconnect to a power supply source, such as power supply source 36, or apower source not coupled to fluid supply unit 34.

In addition to the above, in one or more embodiments, animal cleaningtool 20 may include selectors 21 which may be any type of input selectorfor a user to select one or more functions or features associated withanimal cleaning tool. Selectors 21 may include any type of button,slide, toggle, touchscreen, keypad, or other selectors as known in theart. Further, fluid supply unit 34 may include any number of selectors,such as selectors 21, for selecting one or more functions for fluidsupply unit 34. Selectors 21 may be operated by either mechanical orelectrical mechanisms, or a combination thereof. As known in the art,electrical wiring (not shown) may be used to run from one or moreselectors 21 located on animal cleaning tool 20 or fluid supply unit 34in order for selectors 21 to be in signal communication with one or morecomponents of either animal cleaning tool 20 or fluid supply unit 34.

In one or more embodiments, a selector 21 may be provided on fluidsupply unit 34 that is specially adapted for turning on and off fluidsupply unit 34, for releasing cleaning agent 50, or activating and/orreleasing air 65 from fluid supply unit 34. In one or embodiments, air65 may be automatically emitted from an outlet 24 of fluid supply unit34 once fluid supply unit 34 is initially turned on. Alternatively, inother embodiments, a user may select a selector (e.g., selector 21) toseparately activate and release air 65 from an outlet (e.g., outlet 28)of fluid supply unit 34.

FIG. 2 shows a non-limiting, pictorial illustration of a system usinganimal cleaning tool 20, supply hose 26, and fluid supply unit 34. Asshown in FIG. 2 , in one or more embodiments, animal cleaning tool 20may be coupled to a fluid supply unit 34 having a supply of air (e.g.,air 65) that may be directed to cleaning tool 20 via supply hose 26.Animal 10 as shown in FIG. 2 may be located proximate to the animalcleaning tool 10 and fluid supply unit 34. Animal 10, in one or moreembodiments, may be a household pet, such as a dog or cat, withoutlimitation.

As described above, supply hose 26 may include a conduit (e.g., conduit52 which is not shown in FIG. 2 ) that is dedicated to channeling air 65from fluid supply unit 34 to animal cleaning tool 20 Further, fluidsupply unit 34 may include a cleaning agent reservoir 32 containingcleaning agent 50. As described above, in one or more embodiments,supply house 26 may include a conduit (e.g. conduit 59 which is notshown in FIG. 2 ) for channeling cleaning agent 50 from fluid supplyunit 34 to animal cleaning tool 20.

In embodiments having a power cord for supplying direct electricalcurrent to the one or more electromechanical components of fluid supplyunit 34, a user may plug in the power cord to any available outlet.Alternatively, if fluid supply unit 34 includes one or more batteries(of any type known in the art), the fluid supply unit 34 may be turnedon and off by depressing an associated power activation button ormechanism (e.g., selector 21).

To facilitate transporting and moving fluid supply unit 34 from onelocation to another, a user 42 may take hold or grasp a handle assembly,such as handle assembly 44, of fluid supply unit 34 and move to adesired location. While fluid supply unit 34 is illustrated in FIG. 2 aslocated on a ground surface, in other embodiments, fluid supply unit 34may be located on top of any surface convenient to user 42.

Once fluid supply unit 34 is powered on, in one or more embodiments, air65 may begin to be directed through hose 26 from air supply source 56.Accordingly, if an air blower, fan, air compressor, or any combinationthereof is disposed within fluid supply unit 34, these air supplydevices begin to circulate and direct air 65 to supply hose 26. Morespecifically, in one or more embodiments, flowing air 65 may be directedfrom air supply source 56 within fluid supply unit 34 to air supplyconduit 52 within supply hose 26. As air flows through air supplyconduit 52, the air may be directed to flow through one or more airsupply conduits 60 located in an internal cavity 58 of cleaning tool 20.Air 65 may then be ejected from a set of air openings 66 disposed on abottom plate 64 of cleaning tool 20.

Subsequent to releasing air from the cleaning tool 20, a user mayselectively choose to brush a surface of animal 10 using cleaning tool20 while only air 65 is being ejected from cleaning tool 20 (i.e., nocleaning agent 50 is released onto a surface of animal 10). Accordingly,user 42 may contact a bottom plate 64 of cleaning tool 20 onto any partof animal 10 by placing animal cleaning tool 20 onto the desired part ofanimal 10. User 42 may then proceed to move cleaning tool 20 over andaround the surface of animal 10, concentrating on any specific areas onanimal 10 if needed. When bottom plate 64 makes contact with a surfaceof animal 10, the set of brushing elements 40 also make contact with thesurface of animal 10. Accordingly, user 42 may begin brushing the outersurface of animal 10. Meanwhile, during the brushing, air 65 may becontinuously emitted from animal cleaning tool 20. If animal 10 is wetfor any reason, the act of brushing animal 10 while dispensing air 65over the surface of animal 10 may beneficially assist in removing orreducing unwanted moisture, fluids, dirt, debris, and even ticks/fleas,or unwanted hair from animal 10.

Subsequently, a user may selectively activate one or more selectors ormechanisms (e.g., 21 or 22) for dispensation of cleaning agent 50 fromcleaning tool 20 onto a surface of animal 10. In one or moreembodiments, when user 42 selects activation mechanism 22, cleaningagent 50 may be triggered to be channeled from cleaning agent reservoir32 on fluid supply unit 34 and directed towards cleaning tool 20.

As discussed above, in one or more embodiments, a cleaning agentconduit, such as cleaning agent conduit 54 may be in fluid communicationwith cleaning agent reservoir 32 and/or fluid supply unit 34 so as toprovide the needed cleaning product. Further, in one or moreembodiments, cleaning agent conduit 54 may be in fluid communicationwith cleaning agent conduit 62 located within an internal cavity 58 ofcleaning tool 20. Upon selecting or engaging activation mechanism 22,cleaning agent 50 may begin to be ejected from one or more aperturesdisposed in an outer surface of cleaning tool (e.g., from a dispensingend 108 of nozzle 69) (e.g., as shown in FIG. 9 ) which may extendthrough fluid release cap aperture 89 of fluid release cap 90. Ascleaning agent 50 is released from cleaning tool 20, user 42 may movethe cleaning tool 20 over the surface of animal 10 so as to deposit thedispensing cleaning product on any part of animal 10. When placingcleaning tool 20 directly onto surface of animal 10, cleaning agent 50is dispensed onto any part of animal 10 and also brushed into thesurface of animal 10 due to the set of brushing elements 40 that brushcleaning agent 50 through animal 10's coat, hair, or fur.

In one or more embodiments, because cleaning agent 50 is dispensed as afine spray of particles (i.e., atomized spray 104), upon spraying animal10, user 42 may not need to exert extra effort in drying animal 10. Thismay be because the atomized cleaning agent 50 is brushed into anddispersed throughout animal 10 in small droplets, which may evaporate ontheir own or may be absorbed into the hair, fur, or skin of animal 10.Further, as previously discussed, in one or more embodiments, cleaningagent 50 may be composed of a reduced or minimal amount of water so thatanimal 10 does not become “soaked” with water upon applying cleaningagent 50. Thus, it is an aspect of the present disclosure, that thearrangement of cleaning agent 50 as atomized droplets and dispensing assuch onto animal 10, provides a way to apply a cleaning product andthoroughly clean animal 10 without using tremendous amounts of watereither before applying the cleaning product (i.e., cleaning agent 50) orafter applying the cleaning product. Nevertheless, it is a benefit thatin one or more embodiments of animal cleaning tool 20, air 65 isreleased from animal cleaning tool 20 after cleaning agent 50 has beendeposited (e.g., as an atomized spray 104). In one or more embodiments,air 65 may be released from a set of exit air openings 66 and/or fromair holes 91 in fluid release cap 90. The released air 65 may assist indrying any moisture after cleaning agent 50 is deposited onto animal 10and while user 42 is brushing the outer coat of animal 10.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an animal cleaning tool 20 accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 shows a non-limiting,illustrative embodiment of cleaning tool 20 having a top housing portion38 with curving sidewalls 74 on either side. In some embodiments, it maybe beneficial to have such curving sidewalls 74 so as to facilitategrasping and holding onto the body 38 of cleaning tool 20 and for easeof maneuverability of cleaning tool 20. Those of ordinary skill in theart will appreciate that sidewalls 74 may have any form or shape,including not curving inwardly or outwardly.

Accordingly, in one or more embodiments, a top surface 72 of cleaningtool 20 may be adapted for fitting in a palm of a user's hand, while abottom surface 73 of cleaning tool 20 may be directed or orientedtowards an outer surface of an animal. Those of ordinary skill in theart may appreciate that alternative configurations and designs may beused for cleaning tool 20.

As shown in FIG. 4 , cleaning tool 20 may include other useful elementspreviously discussed, including a set of brushing elements 40 which mayprotrude from a first side 98 of bottom plate 64. Further, as shown inFIG. 4 , a set of exit air openings 66 may be disposed and extend from afront side (e.g., first side 98) of bottom plate 64 to a reverse side(not shown) of bottom plate 64. A set of exit air openings 66 may bearranged in one or more embodiments so as to be somewhat distanced apartfrom one another. In one or more embodiments, set of exit air openings66 may be arranged on a longitudinal axis of cleaning tool 20, as shownin FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 . Alternatively, the set of exit air openings 66may be arranged on a lateral axis or a combination of both a lateral andlongitudinal axis of bottom plate 64.

As shown in FIG. 4 , fluid release cap 90 may be coupled to a first side98 (i.e., the outward oriented side) of bottom plate 64 of animalcleaning tool 20. In one or more embodiments, bottom plate 64 may be aplate-like member that may be attached and detached from top housingportion 38 of cleaning tool 20. Thus, a number of fasteners 71(including any fastener known in the art) may be used to couple bottomplate 64 to top housing portion 38 of cleaning tool 20. One of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that fasteners 71 may be locatedanywhere on cleaning tool 20 for removeably coupling bottom plate 64 totop housing portion 38 of cleaning tool 20, and are not limited to theplacement and locations shown in FIG. 4 .

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure,fluid release cap 90 in FIG. 4 may include a set of air cap holes 91,air hole members 93, and a fluid release cap aperture 89 (as shown inFIG. 3 and described above). In one or more embodiments, a dispensationend 108 of nozzle 69 (not shown in FIG. 4 ) may extend through fluidrelease aperture 89 of fluid release cap 90.

As shown in FIG. 4 , air supply conduit 52 and cleaning agent conduit54, may be in fluid communication with an interior cavity 58 (not shownin FIG. 4 ) of animal cleaning tool 20. Accordingly, air supply conduit52 and cleaning agent conduit 54 may extend through an inlet 24 ofcleaning tool 20. Although not shown in FIG. 4 , in one or moreembodiments, an outer hose, such as supply hose 26 shown in FIG. 2 , mayenclose air supply conduit 52 and cleaning agent conduit 54.Alternatively, in other embodiments, supply hose 26 may be formed as adual conduit having air supply conduit 52 and cleaning agent conduit 54forming a single hose without an additional hose enclosing the conduits.In one or more embodiments, air supply conduit 52 may be joined togetherwith cleaning agent conduit 54 (as shown in FIG. 4 ) so as to be joinedalong an outer boundary of both conduits 52 and 54. In one or moreembodiments, the diameter of air supply conduit 52 may be larger thanthe diameter of cleaning agent supply conduit 54. As shown in FIG. 4 ,in a non-limiting, exemplary illustrative embodiment, cleaning agentsupply conduit 52 may be narrower than air supply conduit 54. Thisnarrower diameter of cleaning agent supply conduit 52 may beneficiallyassist cleaning agent 50 to be deposited as atomized or small particlesonto an animal surface, rather than having larger puddles or volume ofcleaning agent 50 be deposited onto an animal. Thus, the narrowerdiameter of cleaning agent supply conduit 62 may contribute to thecontrolled application of cleaning agent 50 as smaller particles ordroplets. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that inalternative embodiments, air supply conduit 52 and cleaning agent supplyconduit 54 may have a same diameter. In yet other embodiments, thediameter of cleaning agent supply conduit 54 may be larger than thediameter of air supply conduit 52.

In one or more embodiments, air supply conduit 52 and cleaning agentsupply conduit 54 may be disposed at a distal end 75 of top housingportion 38. Distal end 75 of top housing portion 38 may in someembodiments, be a lower rear portion of top housing portion 38.Accordingly, in some embodiments, air supply conduit 52 and cleaningagent supply conduit 54 may be positioned further from a top surface 72of a body 38 of cleaning tool 20. This may be beneficial for a user whomay be gripping top surface 72 in a palm of a user's hand, and thusavoid the conduits (e.g., 52 and 54) becoming a nuisance to or getentangled with user 42.

It is noted that the air that may be released from a set of exit airopenings 66 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4 ) may assist in calming andrelaxing an animal, e.g. animal 10. Animals, including pets such as dogsand cats, may become distressed upon being forced to bathe or be washedwith water, soap, and/or shampoos. The act of releasing and circulatingair over an animal may contribute to relaxing animal 10 and may assistin keeping animal 10 calm and as still as possible. In addition, becauseit may be feasible to regulate the air flow, the air that is dispensedover the animal may be set at lower pressures and a lower velocity so asto further assist in keeping the animal calm.

Turning to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 , FIG. 5 shows a partial cut away view of acleaning tool or device according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure and FIG. 6 shows a partial sectional view of an animalcleaning tool according to embodiments of the present disclosure takenalong section line 1-1 of FIG. 5 . As shown in FIG. 5 , a top housingportion 38 of animal cleaning tool 20 may be coupled to bottom plate 64along a bottom surface of top housing portion 38 according to one ormore embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, as shown in FIG. 5and FIG. 6 , air supply conduit 52 and cleaning agent supply conduit 54that extend from fluid supply unit 34 may be in fluid communication withcorresponding air supply conduit 60 and cleaning agent conduit 62 thatextend within an internal cavity 58 of cleaning tool 20. To clarify, inone or more embodiments, an inlet for air supply conduit 60 and an inletfor cleaning agent supply conduit 62 may be in alignment, respectively,with an outlet for air supply conduit 52 and an outlet for cleaningagent conduit 54.

In one or more embodiments, at an inlet 24 of cleaning tool 20, airsupply conduit 52 and cleaning agent supply conduit 54 may be connected,respectively, to air supply conduit 60 and cleaning agent supply conduit62 located within top housing portion 38 of animal cleaning tool 20. Anytype of connection tools and methods may be used as known in the art toconnect conduit 52 to conduit 60 and to connect conduit 54 to conduit62, including any type of fasteners, such as without limitation, bolts,screws, pins, and/or clips.

It is noted that in one or more embodiments, while air supply conduit 52and cleaning agent conduit 54 may be formed from a material orcombination of materials that allows air supply conduit 52 and cleaningagent conduit 54 to be relatively elastic, stretchable, and pliable forgreater ease of movement and manipulation by a user, the material usedto form air supply conduit 60 and cleaning agent conduit 62 may be of aharder, more rigid material or combination of materials. For example,air supply conduit 60 and cleaning agent conduit 62 may be formed havinga more rigid, less pliant outer and inner surfaces, because air supplyconduit 60 and cleaning agent conduit 62 are located within internalcavity 58 and may need to be more rigid than air supply conduit 52 andcleaning agent conduit 54. Nevertheless, those of ordinary skill in theart may appreciate that air supply conduit 60 and cleaning agent conduit62 may be made of any material known in the art. As shown in FIG. 4 andFIG. 5 , in one or more embodiments, air supply conduit 60 and cleaningagent conduit 62 may be disposed generally parallel to a bottom surfaceof top housing portion 38.

It is noted that in one or more embodiments, air supply conduit 60within animal cleaning tool 20 may be part of air supply conduit 52 insupply hose 26, and cleaning agent conduit 62 may be a part of cleaningagent supply conduit 54 in supply hose 26. Accordingly, in one or moreembodiments, the conduits may not necessarily be separate pieces orseparate conduits that need to connected, respectively, together.Rather, these conduits may be formed as a whole conduit, whereby airsupply conduit 60 is integrally formed with air supply conduit 52 andcleaning agent conduit 62 is integrally formed with cleaning agentsupply conduit 54.

As shown in FIG. 5 , in a non-limiting, illustrative embodiment, theremay be one or more alignment tubes 80 that descend from a lower part ofthe outer surfaces of air supply conduit 60 and cleaning agent conduit62. In one or more embodiments, a fastener, such as fastener 71 (shownin FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 ) may be disposed in the opening (not shown)provided at a distal end of alignment tube 80. In one or moreembodiments, bottom plate 64 may be removeably attached or coupled totop housing portion 38 of cleaning tool 20 by disposing a fastener, suchas fastener 71 through an opening (not shown in FIG. 5 ) provided at adistal end of alignment tube 80. Thus, in some embodiments, a user mayuse another tool, such as, without limitation, a screwdriver, plyers,wrench, or other tool for positioning and removing fastener 71 in one ormore openings of alignment tubes 80.

As discussed above, one of ordinary skill in the art may envisionalternative means of coupling bottom plate 64 to top housing portion 38without using fasteners 71 and disposing fasteners 71 in alignment tube80 and fastener holes 70 of bottom plate 64. For example, removableclips, pins, or other mechanical couplers may hinge over any side of tophousing portion 38 and may be configured to engage with a receiving parton bottom plate 64.

Further, it is noted that in one or more embodiments, it may feasible tocouple bottom plate 64 to a top housing portion 38 whereby bottom plate64 may snap into place against a bottom surface of top housing portion38. It is noted that in one or more embodiments, a profile of an outerperimeter of bottom surface of top housing portion 38 may match orconform to a profile of bottom plate 64.

It may be desirable to readily replace bottom plate 64. In one or moreembodiments, a number of different bottom plates 64 having differentconfigurations and arrangements of set of brushing elements 40 and/orset of exit air openings 66 may be provided with animal cleaning tool 20Such alternative and exchangeable bottom plates 64 may be useful for anumber of reasons. For example, a user such as user 42 may utilizedifferent bottom plates 64 that are better suited to different animals,including different sized animals.

Further, in one or more embodiments, one or more flanges 81 may bedisposed in internal cavity 58 to couple an outer part of air supplyconduit 60 and/or cleaning agent conduit 62 to one of the inner walls orinner surfaces of a top housing portion 38 of cleaning tool 20. As shownin FIG. 5 , flange 81 may be used to couple an outer surface of airsupply conduit 60 and cleaning agent supply conduit 62 to an upperportion of an inner wall of a top housing portion 38 of cleaning tool20. A flange, such as flange 81, may be affixed to an inner wall of tophousing portion 38 by any affixation method or component known in theart. For example, flange 81 may be affixed, without limitation, usingany type of fastener, welding, or integral formation with top housingportion 38.

In one or more embodiments, there may be one or more exit air tubes 82located within internal cavity 58 of top housing portion 38. In one ormore embodiments, exit air tubes 82 may be additional conduits (e.g.tubes) that may be in fluid communication with air supply conduit 60. Asshown in FIG. 5 , in a non-limiting, illustrative embodiment, a firstexit air tube 82 is disposed closer to an inlet 24 of top housingportion 38 and a second exit air tube 82 is disposed proximate to acenter axis or center portion of top housing portion 38 of cleaning tool20. In one or more embodiments, an exit air tube 82 may be coupled toand/or be oriented away from air supply conduit 60 of cleaning tool 20,including by being oriented substantially perpendicular to alongitudinal axis of air supply conduit 60. Those of ordinary skill inthe art may appreciate that there may be other arrangements andconfigurations of exit air tubes 82 other than what is shown as anexemplary arrangement in FIG. 5 .

In one or more embodiments, an opening at a distal end of exit air tubes82 may align with one or more exit air openings 66 disposed on a bottomplate 64. Accordingly, when bottom plate 64 may be coupled or connected(removeably or otherwise) to top housing portion 38 of cleaning tool, anopening at a distal end of exit air tubes 82 (i.e., the opening that isfurthest from the air supply conduit 60) may be disposed above orsubstantially over a plurality of exit air openings 66 of bottom plate64.

When air flow is being supplied to air supply conduit 60, in one or moreembodiments, air may flow through air supply conduit 60 in top housingportion 38 of cleaning tool 20, through exit air tubes 82, and outthrough a set of exit air openings 66 which may extend from one side ofbottom plate 64 to the other side. Thus, when bottom plate 64 is coupledto top housing portion 38, air 65 that is directed to exit air tubes 82is subsequently emitted from set of exit air openings 66 located in orcoupled to bottom plate 64.

In addition to the above, in one or more embodiments, an exit outer airtube 87 may be in fluid communication with a terminal end of air supplyconduit 60 in top housing portion 38. Air 65 may be directed throughexit outer air tube 87 during an atomization process using air sprayatomization. In one or more embodiments, air 65 directed from exit outerair tube 87 is used during an air spray atomization process. As shown inFIG. 5 , in one or more embodiments, there may be a tapering portion 92that tapers from a terminal end of exit cleaning agent tube(s) 87. Inone or more embodiments, fluid release cap 90 (as shown, for example, inFIG. 3 and FIG. 4 ) may be threadably or non-threadably coupled to thebottom surface of tapering portion 92 of exit cleaning agent tube 86. Inone or more embodiments, when fluid release cap 90 is disposed within anopening allocated in bottom plate 64 for fluid release cap 90, fluidrelease cap 90 may be sealingly engaged with exit cleaning agent tube(s)87. Fluid release cap 90 may be of any size and/or diameter suitable forits application and location.

Thus, in one or more embodiments, fluid release cap 90 couples to exitouter air tube 87 (e.g. at tapering portion 92), and air 65 may beemitted from exit outer air tube 87 through one or more air cap holes 91located on fluid release cap 90 and also located on air members 93.

In one or more embodiments, exit air tubes 82 and exit outer air tube 87may be coupled to and/or be oriented away from air supply conduit 60,including by being oriented substantially perpendicular to alongitudinal axis of air supply conduit 60. Those of ordinary skill inthe art may appreciate that there may be other arrangements andconfigurations of exit air tubes 82 and exit outer air tubes 87 otherthan what is shown as an exemplary arrangement in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 .

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 , cleaning agent supply conduit 62 mayalso be directed to a terminal end point within internal cavity 58 oftop housing portion 38 of animal cleaning tool 20. In one or moreembodiments, when bottom plate 64 is coupled or connected to a tophousing portion 38 of cleaning tool 20, exit cleaning agent tube 86 (asshown in FIG. 6 ) may be aligned with fluid release cap 90 which mayextend through a designated opening located on bottom plate 64. In oneor more embodiments, a nozzle, such as nozzle 69 (not shown) may be fitwithin an end opening of exit cleaning agent tube 86, such as exitcleaning agent aperture 96 shown in FIG. 6 . Thus, exit cleaning tube 86may be configured to direct cleaning agent 50 through an attached nozzle69. Subsequently cleaning agent 50 may be directed outwardly from adispensing end 108 of nozzle 69, whereby the dispensing end 108 extendsthrough fluid release cap aperture 89 (see e.g., FIG. 9 ).

Thus, one or more embodiments provided in the present disclosure mayadvantageously include guides and aids in the form of alignment tube(s)80, exit air tube(s) 82, and exit cleaning agent tube(s) 86 that mayassist a user when coupling bottom plate 64 to top housing portion 38,because these tubes allow for a user to understand how to positionbottom plate 64 and where to locate various openings (e.g. plurality ofexit air openings 66 and fastener holes 70) when coupling bottom plate64 to top housing portion 38.

Accordingly, FIG. 6 shows a partial sectional view of an interior of tophousing portion 38 of an animal cleaning tool 20 taken along sectionline 1-1 of FIG. 5 . FIG. 6 also shows internal cavity 58. In looking atthe exemplary, non-limiting, illustrative embodiment of top housingportion 38 as shown in FIG. 6 , one of ordinary skill may perceive thattop housing portion 38 may be contoured to correspond to a shape ofbottom plate 64 in one or more embodiments. Accordingly, a perimeter oftop housing portion 38 in one or more exemplary embodiments maycorrespond to a perimeter of bottom plate 64.

In one or more embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6 , one part of air supplyconduit 60 may connect to exit air tubes 82 while another part of airsupply conduit 60 is directed to exit outer air tube 87. Alternatively,in other embodiments, two separate conduits channeling air solely toeither exit air tubes 62 or solely to exit air openings 66 may be used.

In one more embodiments, upon powering an air supply source (e.g., airsupply source 56), flowing air may initially be directed through airsupply conduit 60 of top housing portion 38 and through one or more exitair tube(s) 82, which may be in alignment with a plurality of exit airopenings 66 disposed in bottom plate 64. Further, it may be feasible forflowing air 66 to initially be automatically be directed to flow out ofexit outer air tube 87 even if none of the cleaning agent 50 is beingdispensed from cleaning agent aperture 96 (e.g., via nozzle 69).Accordingly, a user, such as user 42, may have a greater volume of airbeing dispensed initially from cleaning tool 20 onto animal 10 to dry orbrush off any unwanted hair, fur, or debris, without necessarilydepositing any cleaning agent 50 onto a surface of animal 10. Thus,animal cleaning tool 20 may be used as a “dryer”, whereby no cleaningagent 50 is released from fluid supply unit 20. Rather, solely air maybe released from set of exit air openings 66 and from air holes 91 influid release cap 90 onto a surface of an animal 10. Activating the airsupply source to blow air (without a release of cleaning agent 50), suchas air 65 from fluid supply unit 34 onto animal 10 may beneficiallyallow an owner to dry animal 10 when animal 10 is moist or wet. Further,blowing air may assist in deshedding animal 10.

Subsequent to the initial directing of flowing air 65 to one or moreexit air tube(s) 84, according to one or more non-limiting methodsdisclosed in the present disclosure, air 65 may be solely or primarilydirected to exit outer air tube 87 such that air 65 is not released fromexit air tube(s) 82 and through a set of exit air openings 66 in bottomplate 64. Rather, flowing air 65 may be directed to flow exclusivelythrough air supply conduit 60 to exit outer air tube 87 so as to releasea maximum amount of air 65 to fluid release cap 90 while cleaning agent50 is being atomized into an atomized spray (e.g. atomized spray 104).Thus, in one or more non-limiting embodiments, by directing an entiretyof air 65 from fluid supply unit 34 to fluid release cap 90 and the oneor more air cap holes 91 located thereupon, the atomization processusing an air spray atomization process may be more efficiently achieved.

Nevertheless, in alternative embodiments, air 65 may be directed to boththe exit air tubes 82 and through the set of exit air openings 66 aswell as to the exit outer air tube 87 and to the fluid release cap 90while the air spray atomization process occurs. In one or morenon-limiting, exemplary embodiments, in order to selectively direct airto either exit air tubes 82 or exit outer air tube 87, one or morevalves as known in the art may be used, including without limitation asolenoid valve. Alternatively, blocking plates (not shown) may beextended and retracted to cover air openings associated with exit airtubes 82 or exit air tube 87.

It is noted that in some embodiments, it may be possible for flowing air65 to be selectively directed to a particular exit air tube 82 and thusto a particular group of a set of exit air openings 66. Accordingly,user 42 may selectively manipulate where any flowing air 65 may bedirected to flow from top housing portion 38 and ultimately a set ofexit air openings 66.

A method for assembling animal cleaning tool 20, supply hose 26, andfluid supply unit 34 may include coupling one end of supply hose 26 toan outlet (e.g., outlet 28) of fluid supply unit 34) and coupling theother end of supply hose 26 to an inlet (e.g. inlet 24) of animalcleaning tool 20. More specifically, in one or more embodiments, one endof air cleaning supply conduit 52 may be coupled to an opening end ofair supply conduit 60 in top housing portion 38, and one end of cleaningagent supply conduit 54 may be coupled to an opening end of cleaningagent conduit 62 in top housing portion 38.

Further, a base end 106 of nozzle 69 may be disposed in an end openingof cleaning agent conduit 60. In one or more embodiments, a fluidrelease cap 90 may be coupled to air supply conduit before bottom plate64 is coupled to the top housing portion 38. Alternatively, fluidrelease cap 90 may be coupled after bottom plate 64 is coupled to tophousing portion 38, whereby fluid release cap 90 is located through anouter opening in bottom plate designated for fluid release cap 90 to befitted through. In one or more embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4 , set ofexit air openings 66 are arranged on bottom plate 64. Thus, in couplingbottom plate 64 to top housing portion 38, the set of exit air openings66 become aligned with and in fluid communication with air supplyconduit 60 (e.g. via exit air tubes 82). In one or more embodiments, andas shown in FIG. 6 , exit air tubes 82 include at the end of air tubes82 a set of exit air openings that correspond to and align with exit airopenings 66 located on bottom plate 64. Alternatively, in otherembodiments, exit air tubes 82 do not include a set of exit airopenings, but rather exit air tubes 82 have an end opening or aperturethrough which air 65 may flow to the set of exit air openings 66 locatedon bottom plate 64. In other embodiments, (e.g., as shown in FIG. 10-12, and as further described below), an insert 1102 may be located withinan internal cavity 1058 of a top housing portion of an animal cleaningtool (such as animal cleaning tool 1020), whereby the insert 1102includes a set of exit air openings similar to exit air openings 66described with respect to FIG. 4 .

In one or more embodiments, a user, such as user 42 may couple supplyhose 26 to fluid supply unit 34 and to animal cleaning tool 20, and user42 may couple top housing portion 38 to bottom plate 64. Alternatively,in other embodiments, user 42 obtains animal cleaning tool 20, supplyhose 26, and fluid supply unit 32 as a preassembled set.

It is noted that although it may be beneficial to reduce the amount ofliquid or water disposed on animal 10's surface, it may be possible thatone or more owners has a need to rinse or bathe animal 10 with water.Accordingly, in one or more embodiments, animal cleaning tool 20 may becoupled to a water source (not shown). In one or more embodiments, watersource (not shown) may include without limitation a storage container(e.g., a bucket) holding some volume of water. In other embodiments,animal cleaning tool 20 may be coupled to a dispensation end of a faucetor hose, including one or more faucets and hoses found at residential orcommercial residences. Alternatively, animal cleaning tool 20 may beconnected to another water distribution system. In one or moreembodiments, a supply hose, such as supply hose 26 may be coupled to thewater source. In one or more embodiments, an adapter may be used tocouple supply hose 26 to one end of the water source and the other endof supply hose 26 may be coupled to animal cleaning tool 20 through aconnector and inserted through an inlet, e.g. inlet 24.

In one or more embodiments, when coupled to a water source, a selectoror activation mechanism (e.g., selector 21 or activation mechanism 22,disposed on an outer surface of top housing portion 38 of animalcleaning tool 20 may be selected to trigger channeling of the waterthrough the cleaning agent supply conduit 54. Subsequently, the waterchanneled from the water source may be released from the dispensing end108 of the nozzle 69 onto a surface of animal 10. Thus, the animalcleaning tool 20 is versatile and may be utilized to connect to a watersource to rinse or soak a surface of animal 10 if a user or owner sodesires. It may then be feasible to dry and/or clean animal 10 using oneor more methods described above for coupling supply hose 26 to a fluidsupply unit, such as fluid supply unit 34, and subsequently activating arelease of air 65 from fluid supply unit 34 to dry animal 10's surfaceusing animal cleaning tool 20. Additionally, a user may engage acleaning agent activation mechanism (e.g., activation mechanism 22) forreleasing cleaning agent 50 as an atomized spray 104 of particles ontoanimal 10's surface.

Accordingly, FIG. 1 -FIG. 6 may show exemplary, non-limiting embodimentsof a cleaning tool 20 that may be coupled to a fluid supply unit 34,which is configured to include an air supply source 56 and a cleaningagent reservoir 32. It is noted that in other embodiments, fluid supplyunit 34 may be alternatively replaced with a non-portable unit withsimilar functions, as shown in FIG. 7 . FIG. 7 shows a pictorialillustration of an exemplary non-portable fluid supply unit and animalcleaning tool in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. Fluid supply unit 734 functions the same as fluid supplyunit 34 described above. Accordingly, fluid supply unit 734 includes anair supply source (not shown) and a cleaning agent supply source (notshown). One or more selectors 706 may be selected by a user to dispenseair, a cleaning agent such as cleaning agent 50 as described above (e.g.shampoo), or a combination thereof. Further, in one or morenon-limiting, exemplary embodiments, payment device 708 may be includedwith fluid supply unit 734 which is configured to receive payment of anysort from a user, including without limitation, cash, coins, and/orcredit cards. Alternatively, fluid supply unit 734 may not include apayment device.

In one or more embodiment, fluid supply unit 734 may be mounted or fixedto a support structure 704 via one or more mounting devices 712. Supportstructure 704 may be any type of support structure. As shown in anexemplary, non-limiting embodiment, support structure 704 may be a wall.Alternatively, support structure 704 may be any type of supportingstructure or level, including furniture pieces, poles, columns, a flooror ground surface, or any other type of support structure. In one ormore embodiments, mounting devices 712 may be fasteners of any typeknown in the art. Alternatively, fluid supply unit 734 may be attachedto a support structure 704 through other means, such as welding oradhesives to name a few without limitation. In one or more embodiments,fluid supply unit 734 may be a free-standing unit that is not fixed orattached to support structure 704, but rather, the weight of fluidsupply unit 734 may be heavy enough to prevent fluid supply unit 734from being portable.

In one or more embodiments, a supply hose 726 may be coupled to fluidsupply unit 734, and may be of any length or size. Supply hose 726 mayfunction the same as supply hose 26 as described above. In one or moreembodiments, supply hose 726 may channel flowing air and cleaning agent,such as air 65 and cleaning agent 50 as described above, to an animalcleaning tool 720. Animal cleaning tool 720 may function the same asanimal cleaning tool 20 as described above in the present disclosure. Inone or more embodiments, animal cleaning tool 720 may include a tophousing portion 738 and a bottom plate 764 having a set of brushingelements 740 for brushing and cleaning an outer surface of an animal,such as animal 710. A user may select cleaning agent be emitted fromfluid supply unit 734, and in one or more embodiments, cleaning agentfrom fluid supply unit 734 may be emitted onto a surface of animal 710as an atomized spray of particles. Any process of atomization may beused as known in the art. In one or more embodiments, animal cleaningtool 720 may include a fluid release cap (e.g., fluid release cap 90)which may be configured to atomize cleaning agent through asubstantially simultaneous release of air as cleaning agent is emittedfrom the fluid release cap.

While fluid supply unit 34 may be portable and may be readilytransportable to one or more locations as convenient to a user, fluidsupply unit 734 may be a non-portable unit used to clean an animal, suchas animal 10. Fluid supply unit 734 may be installed at a number offacilities including veterinarian clinics, car washes, and animal spasor washing centers, as well as in various other locations withoutlimitation.

FIG. 8 is a pictorial illustration of an animal cleaning tool 20 inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG.9 is a bottom perspective view of the animal cleaning tool 20 of FIG. 8. In one or more embodiments, the animal cleaning tool 20 shown in FIGS.8-9 may be used as described above with respect to animal cleaning tool20 in FIGS. 1-6 . Further, animal cleaning tool 720 shown in FIG. 7 maybe implemented as animal cleaning tool 20. Thus, animal cleaning tool 20in FIGS. 8-9 is another illustrative embodiment of animal cleaning tool10 provided above, and may be assembled and implemented using any of thecomponents and processes described above.

In one or more embodiments, animal cleaning tool 20 in FIG. 8-9 includesan activation mechanism 22 located on a top outer surface of top housingportion 38. In some embodiments, activation mechanism 22 may be used toselectively release cleaning agent 50 as a continuous stream. Further,in one or more embodiments, activation mechanism 22 may be switched todifferent positions (e.g., left, right, top) to release different fluids(e.g., air 65 or cleaning agent 50) as well as to turn on/off anattached fluid supply unit 34 or fluid supply unit 734. It is noted thatactivation mechanism 22 for animal cleaning tool 20 and additionalselectors, such as selector 21, may be located anywhere as desired or assuitable on either top housing portion 38 or bottom plate 64, and arenot limited to the placement shown in any of the Figures in the presentdescription.

In one or more embodiments, animal cleaning 20 as shown in FIGS. 8-9includes a set of brushing elements 40 that may be used to brush asurface of an animal, such as animal 10. The set of brushing elements 40may brush cleaning agent 50 into and out of a surface of an animal 10.Further, the set of brushing elements 40 may be used to brush a hair orcoat of animal 10 to remove unwanted ticks and/or fleas or de-shed ananimal. The protruding ends of the set of brushing elements 40 mayaccomplish this when a user grasps animal cleaning tool 20 in his or herhands and proceeds to contact a surface of an animal and move the animalcleaning tool 20 over the surface of an animal.

As shown in FIGS. 8-9 , the animal cleaning tool 20 may include a curvedpair of sidewalls 74. In one or more embodiments, it may be easier tohold or grasp animal cleaning tool 10 in the palm of a user's headhaving the curved pair of sidewalls 74. Nevertheless, there is nolimitation as to the shape or curvature of either the sidewalls 74 oranimal cleaning tool 20 in the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 8-9 , bottom plate 64 may be coupled to a top housingportion 38. Bottom plate 64 may be removable and exchangeable withalternative bottom plates 64 having other arrangements of the set ofbrushing elements 40 or other air openings 66. In one or moreembodiments, bottom plate 64 may include a fluid release cap 90. Asshown in FIG. 9 , a dispensing end 108 of a nozzle (e.g., nozzle 69) asdescribed above may extend through an aperture (e.g., aperture 89) offluid release cap 90. Further, fluid release cap 90 in FIG. 9 mayinclude a set of air cap holes 91 and air cap members 93 as describedabove. FIG. 9 further illustrates inlet 24 to animal cleaning tool 20through which supply hose 26 may be extended to access an interiorcavity 58 (not shown) of animal cleaning tool 20.

Turning to FIGS. 10-12 , an embodiment of a top housing portion 1038 ofanimal cleaning tool 1020 is provided that utilizes an insert forlocating a set of brushing elements 1066 between the top housing portion38 of animal cleaning tool 20 and bottom plate 64. In one or moreembodiments, animal cleaning tool 1020 may function as an animalcleaning tool 20 described above and may include similar features and/orelements. Further, animal cleaning tool 1020 may be coupled to a supplyhose, such as supply hose 26, which may be connected to a fluid supplyunit 34 as described above.

Top housing portion 1038 as shown in FIG. 10 may include a receptacle1002 that may be configured to be coupled to a fluid release cap (e.g.fluid release cap 90). Receptacle 1002 may include a nozzle aperture1004, whereby a base end of a nozzle (e.g. base end 106 of nozzle 69)may be fit into the nozzle aperture 1004. Animal cleaning tool 1020 asshown in FIG. 10 may further include an interior cavity 1058 withinwhich receptacle 1002 may be disposed. In one or more embodiments, oneor more interior edges 1006 of top housing portion 1038 may curveinwardly. Further, one or more insert connecting members 1010 may beincluded, whereby insert connecting members 1010 may be used to connectto insert 1102 (shown in FIG. 11 ). Inlet 1022 may be an inlet forinserting a supply hose, such as supply hose 26 discussed above. In oneor more embodiments, a bottom plate, such as bottom plate 64 shown inFIG. 8-9 may be coupled to top housing portion 1038, having a set ofbrushing elements 40.

FIG. 11 shows a non-limiting, exemplary embodiment of an insert 1102that may be inserted into top housing portion 1038 of animal cleaningtool 1020. Insert members 1110 shown in FIG. 11 may be located ontoconnecting members 1010 as shown in FIG. 10 . One or more fasteners(e.g., fasteners 1204 in FIG. 12 ) may be inserted in fastener holes1108 to affix insert 1102 in place.

A set of exit air openings 1166 may be located and arranged on insertsupport surfaces 1164. A set of exit air openings 1166 may be the samein form and function as the set of exit air openings 66 as describedabove with respect to FIGS. 1-9 . Accordingly, a set of exit airopenings 1166 may be one or more groups of holes through which air maybe emitted. Air may be supplied through one or more conduits, andoriginate from a fluid supply unit, such as fluid supply unit 34described above. A set of exit air openings 1166 may be formed havingany diameter, size and may be arranged in any number of holes or patternas desired.

Insert 1102 may include two main openings (not shown) that extendthrough a lower underside portion 1112 of insert 1102. Through theselower two main openings, air supply conduits and cleaning agent supplyconduits, such as those described above with respect to air supplyconduit 60 and cleaning agent supply conduit 62 may extend through andconnect to one or more connector conduits 1012, which feed intoreceptacle 1002. In one or more embodiments, receptacle 1002 may includeone or more openings whereby air from an air supply conduit may bereleased through the one or more openings of receptacle 1002.

FIG. 12 is a pictorial illustration of a few elements of animal cleaningtool 1020 assembled in place. As shown in FIG. 12 , fluid release cap1290 is coupled to receptacle 1002. In one or more embodiments, fluidrelease cap 1290 may be configured as fluid release cap 90 as describedabove with respect to FIG. 1 , FIG. 3 , and throughout the presentdescription. Fluid release cap 90 may include air cap holes 1291 and aircap members 1293, which operate as described above with respect to fluidrelease cap 90 during an air spray atomization process.

As shown in FIG. 12 , an air supply conduit 1260 may connect through afirst lower opening on one lateral side of insert 1102 and out throughan upper opening of insert 1102 and then proceed to connect throughconnector conduit 1012 into receptacle 1002 (not shown in FIG. 12 ). Acleaning agent conduit 1262 may connect through a second lower openinglocated on an opposite lateral side of insert 1102 and out through anupper opening of insert 1102 and then proceed to connect throughconnector conduit 1012 into receptacle 1002. Thus, air supply conduit1260 and cleaning agent conduit 1262 extend along a longitudinal axisthrough an interior of insert 1102.

In one or more embodiments, a conduit 1261 may be particularly directedto set of exit air openings 1166 as disposed on insert 1102. As shown inFIG. 12 , insert 1102 may be detached from receptacle 1002.Alternatively, in one or more embodiments, insert 1102 may be attachedto receptacle 1002.

Thus, FIGS. 10-12 provide an alternative embodiment for an animalcleaning tool such as animal cleaning tool 20. Animal cleaning tool 1020may be used to clean and maintain the hygiene of an animal, such asanimal 10, using one or more processes described above and throughoutthe present disclosure. A bottom plate, such as bottom plate 64described above in FIG. 1-9 , may be coupled to a bottom surface of tophousing portion 1038 of animal cleaning tool 1020. In one or moreembodiments, when bottom plate 64 is coupled to top housing portion1038, animal cleaning tool 1020 may be used to brush animal 10, and uponactivation thereof, air 65 from fluid supply unit 34 may be directedthrough one or more conduits of animal cleaning tool 1020 (e.g. airsupply conduit 1260) and cleaning agent 50 may be directed from fluidsupply unit 34 via a supply hose such as supply hose 26 to cleaningagent conduit 1262.

In animal cleaning tool 1020, insert 1102 is included, whereby insert1102 includes a set of exit air openings 1166. Further, air supplyconduit 1261 and cleaning agent conduit 1262 are extended through a bodyof insert 1102 and connect to a receptacle, such as receptacle 1002located in an interior cavity 1058 of top housing portion 1038.

In addition to the above, electrical wiring, including insulatedelectrical wiring (not shown in FIG. 10-12 ) may be included in animalcleaning tool 1020 in order to connect to a fluid supply unit 34,including an air supply source and cleaning agent source, such thatanimal cleaning tool 1020 may be in signal communication with a fluidsupply unit, such as fluid supply unit 34. Further, electrical wiringmay be connected from animal cleaning tool 1020 to an electrical powersource for use in conjunction with one or more selectors, e.g. selector21, or activation mechanism, e.g. activation mechanism 22 that may belocated on an outer housing of animal cleaning tool 1020.

Turning to FIG. 13 , FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of an animal cleaningtool in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 14 shows a pictorial exemplary, non-limiting,illustrative embodiment of an animal cleaning tool, such as animalcleaning tool 1302 described below with respect to FIG. 13 . It is notedthat one of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that otherconfigurations for animal cleaning tool 1302 may be provided and are inkeeping with the present disclosure.

Animal cleaning tool 1302 may be used to clean and maintain the hygieneof an animal, such as animal 10, as described above, in accordance withone or more methods described herein. A user, such as user 42, may be anowner of animal 10 in one or more embodiments. Alternatively, user 42may be employed to clean animals such as those found at veterinarianoffices, pet salons, and the like. Animal 10 may be any type of animal,including a household pet of a pet owner or user of animal cleaning tool10.

In one or more embodiments, animal cleaning tool 1302 may include ahousing 1334. Housing 1334 may serve as an enclosure for one or moreinternal components and assembly pieces of animal cleaning tool 1302.Housing 1334 may further include an outer surface having one or moreselectors 1308. Selectors 1308 may be any type of selectors known tothose of ordinary skill in the art, including without limitation,buttons, knobs, triggers, or dials. Selectors 1308 may be disposed on anouter surface of housing 1334 to provide user 42 with means to selectone or more options or features of animal cleaning tool 1302.

Further, in one or more embodiments, a trigger, such as trigger 1310 maybe selectively depressed or released by a user to select dispensing ofair, such as air 1336 and/or cleaning agent, such as cleaning agent1320.

In one or more embodiments, a handle assembly, such as handle assembly1304 may be included with animal cleaning tool 1302. Thus, a handleassembly 1304 may provide a user, such as user 42 with a location forgripping animal cleaning tool 1302. In other embodiments, user 42 may beenabled to grip any surface of the animal cleaning tool 1302irrespective of an included handle assembly. It is noted that animalcleaning tool 1302 may be of any shape or size as desired. Likewise,handle assembly 1304 may be of any shape or size suitable to itsapplication.

In one or more embodiments, an on/off selection mechanism 1314 may bedisposed on a surface of animal cleaning tool housing 1334. Such anon/off selection mechanism 1314 may be used to activate power to animalcleaning tool 1302. In one or more embodiments, animal cleaning tool1302 may further include a power supply source 1312. In one or moreembodiments, power supply source 1312 may supply an electric current toanimal cleaning tool 1302, e.g. from an electrical outlet. In otherembodiments, power supply source may be powered by one or more batteriesdisposed within animal cleaning tool 1302.

In one or more embodiments, animal cleaning tool 1302 may include one ormore motors 1316 (e.g., speed-controlled motors), which may be coupledto power supply source 1312. Further, air supply chamber 1310 may bedisposed in animal cleaning tool 1302. Air supply chamber 1310 may beadapted to circulate and direct a release of air, such as air 1336 toone or more exit air openings (e.g., exit air openings 1326 of cleaningplate 1322). In one or more embodiments, air supply chamber 1310 mayinclude a set of intake air vents 1314. Further, air supply chamber 1310may include one or more fans 1312 for distributing air 1334. Those ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that additional components maybe necessary to the operation of air supply chamber 1310, motor 1316,and fans 1312.

In one or more embodiments, a cleaning agent storage compartment 1318may be included with animal cleaning tool 1302. In one or moreembodiments, cleaning agent storage compartment 1318 may be adapted toact as a receptacle for containing or storing cleaning agent 1320.Cleaning agent 1320 may be a cleaning product that is particularlysuited for cleaning an animal, such as animal 10. In one or moreembodiments, cleaning product has a reduced amount of water, such aswithout limitation, including less than 70 percent of water as aningredient of cleaning agent 1320. Cleaning agent 1320 may include thesame properties and characteristics described above with respect tocleaning agent 50 as discussed throughout the present disclosure.

In one or more embodiments, cleaning agent storage compartment 1318 maybe coupled to any side of a housing 1334 of animal cleaning tool 1302(e.g., 1302 as shown in FIG. 14 ). In FIG. 14 , the cleaning agentstorage compartment 1318 is disposed below the cleaning plate 1322.However, in other embodiments, cleaning agent storage compartment 1318may be disposed above the cleaning plate 1322. In one or moreembodiments, cleaning agent storage compartment 1318 may be removeablycoupled to animal cleaning tool housing 1334.

Alternatively, in other embodiments, cleaning agent storage compartment1318 may be enclosed within an outer housing 1334 of animal cleaningtool 1302 rather than being coupled to the housing 1334 of animalcleaning tool 1302.

Accordingly, in one or more embodiments, cleaning plate 1322 may beremoveably coupled to animal cleaning tool 1302. In some embodiments, aconnector, such as connector 1330 (e.g., shown in FIG. 14 ) may be usedto coupled cleaning plate 1322 to and from animal cleaning tool 1302.Cleaning plate 1322 may include a set of brushing elements 1324. A setof brushing elements 1324, in accordance with one or more embodiments,may be interchangeably described as brushing bristles. A set of brushingelements 1324 may be of any size or shape and may be made of anymaterial, including animal or human hair, polyester, rubber, or plastic,without limitation. While the set of brushing elements 1324 in FIG. 10are shown in an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment as short hair-likebristles, the set of brushing elements 1324 may include any other shape,size, configuration, or material known in the art for forming brushingbristles, including conical or spherical shaped brushing elements.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, cleaning plate 1322may further include a set of exit air openings 1326, which may beconfigured to release flowing air 1334. Further, cleaning plate 1322 mayfurther include at least one cleaning agent aperture 1328. In one ormore embodiments, cleaning agent aperture 1328 may be configured todispense cleaning agent 1320.

In one or more embodiments, a nozzle assembly 1332 (not shown in FIG. 14) may be included with an interior structure of animal cleaning tool1302. One or more nozzles 1331 (not shown) may be incorporated withinsuch an interior structure and may be used to dispense cleaning agent1320 from cleaning agent storage compartment 1318.

FIG. 15 shows a flow chart of a method of using an animal cleaning toolin accordance with one or more embodiments. The process provided in FIG.15 may be implemented by an animal cleaning tool and fluid supply unit,such as animal cleaning tool 20 and fluid supply unit 34 provided inFIGS. 1-6 and FIG. 8-9 . Further, the process provided in FIG. 15 may beimplemented by animal cleaning tool 720 and fluid supply unit 734 inFIG. 7 . Further, the process provided in FIG. 15 may be implementedusing animal cleaning tool 1020 in FIG. 10-12 , as well as animalcleaning tool 1302 in FIG. 13 .

The process may begin by receiving user input activating an air sourcein a fluid supply unit (step 1502). The process may continue by flowingair from the air source in the fluid supply unit to a set of airopenings disposed on or coupled to a plate surface of an animal cleaningtool (step 1504). In one or more embodiments, the process may continueby flowing the air from the set of air openings disposed on or coupledto the plate surface of the animal cleaning tool to the surface of theanimal (step 1506). Subsequently, the process may receive a user inputactivating a release of the cleaning agent from at least one openingdisposed on or coupled to the plate surface of the animal cleaning tool(step 1508). Upon activating the release of the cleaning agent, thecleaning agent may be dispensed as an atomized spray of particles onto asurface of the animal (step 1510).

In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the steps ofthe flowchart shown in FIG. 15 may occur out of the order noted in FIG.15 . For example, two steps shown in succession may, in fact, beexecuted substantially concurrently, or the steps may sometimes beexecuted in the reverse order, depending upon the functionalityinvolved.

Turning to FIG. 16 , FIG. 16 shows an embodiment animal cleaning tool(1600) in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. Asshown in FIG. 16 , the animal cleaning tool (1600) includes a topportion (1602) and a bottom portion (1604). The top portion (1602) mayinclude a number of actuators (1606). Each of these components isdiscussed below.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the animal cleaning tool(1600), though not shown in FIG. 16 , is coupled to a fluid supply unit(e.g., fluid supply unit (34) of FIG. 1 ; fluid supply unit (734) ofFIG. 7 ) via one or more conduits (e.g., air supply conduit (52) andcleaning agent supply conduit (59) of FIG. 1 ). The conduits (not shown)may supply fluids, such as the aforementioned air and cleaning agent, tothe animal cleaning tool (1600). Additionally or alternatively, one ormore conduits may include functionality to draw fluids and/or othermaterial away from the animal cleaning tool (1600) and to the fluidsupply unit. For example, the animal cleaning tool (1600) may include avacuum feature (not shown, discussed further below in the discussion ofa suction vent in FIG. 17 ) for removing hair, debris, particles, otherfluids, mud, dirt, sand, organisms, etc. from the surface of an animal,which may then be drawn through a conduit to the fluid supply unit by avacuum source device (not shown).

In one or more embodiments of the invention, a vacuum source device isany device that includes functionality to creating a suction effect inorder to create a partial vacuum capable of removing fluids and/or otheritems (e.g., hair) from a surface (e.g., a surface of an animal). In oneor more embodiments of the invention, any fluids of other items (e.g.,hair, sand, etc.) drawn to a fluid supply unit by a vacuum supply sourcemay be collected in a vacuum repository (not shown). In one or moreembodiments of the invention, a vacuum repository is any receptacle forthe collection of anything that is taken into an animal cleaning device(1600), through a conduit, and towards a fluid supply unit by way ofsuction created by a vacuum supply source. In one or more embodiments ofthe invention, a vacuum repository is included in or coupled to thefluid supply unit. In one or more embodiments of the invention, thevacuum repository may be removed (e.g., by a user) in order to beemptied before being reattached.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the animal cleaning tool(1600) includes functionality to, at least in part, facilitate thegrooming of an animal. As used herein, the term ‘groom’ and/or‘grooming’ is intended to incorporate any aspect of animal grooming,including animal cleaning.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the top portion (1602), asdiscussed above in reference to top housing portion 38 of FIG. 1 andFIG. 2 , may be any shape. For example, the top portion (1602) may be ashape that includes curved sides that facilitate a user (not shown) tohold the animal cleaning tool (1600) while cleaning an animal. Forexample, the animal cleaning tool (1600) may have a shape generallysimilar to that of a device (e.g., a ‘mouse’) for manipulating a cursorwithin a graphical user interface of a display screen operativelyconnected to a computing device. In one or more embodiments of theinvention, the top portion (1602), as discussed above, may beconstructed of any material or combination of materials.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the top portion (1602)includes one or more actuators (1606). As discussed above in thedescriptions of selectors (21) and activation mechanisms (22) of FIG. 1, actuators (1606) may be located anywhere on the top portion (1602) ofthe animal cleaning device (1600), and may include any one or more typesof actuators, including, but not limited to, a button, a dial, a knob, aswitch, a trigger, a release, touchpad, any other electrical and/ormechanical element, and/or any combination thereof. In one or moreembodiments of the invention, the actuators (1606), individually and/orin combination, include functionality to cause an action of the animalcleaning tool (1600) to occur. For example, each individual actuator maycause a specific action, or a group of actuators may be necessary tocause a certain action. Examples of such actions include, but are notlimited to, blowing air from the animal cleaning tool, intaking (e.g.,vacuuming) air and/or other material into the animal cleaning tool,outputting a cleaning agent (e.g., shampoo, soap, etc.) and/or otherfluid (e.g., water).

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the animal cleaning device(1600) also includes a bottom portion (1604), which may include all orany portion of the aspects and/or features of bottom plate 64 asdescribed above and as shown in FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 , FIG. 4 , FIG. 5 , FIG.8 , and FIG. 9 . In one or more embodiments of the invention, the bottomportion (1604), as discussed above in relation to bottom plate (64), maybe constructed using any material or combination of materials, and maybe affixed in any manner, removeably or non-removeably, to the topportion (1602). The bottom portion (1604) is discussed further in thedescription of FIG. 17 , below.

Turning to FIG. 17 , FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of an animalcleaning device (1600) having a top portion (1602) and a bottom portion(1604). In one or more embodiments of the invention, the animal cleaningdevice (1600) is substantially similar to the animal cleaning device(1600) shown in FIG. 16 .

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the bottom portion (1604)includes one or more suction vents (1702). In one or more embodiments ofthe invention, a suction vent (1702) is an opening in the bottom portion(1604) of any shape, and includes functionality to suction air and/orincorporate a negative pressure. In one or more embodiments of theinvention, the one or more suction vents (1702) may be located at anylocation on the bottom portion (1604). In one or more embodiments of theinvention, the suctioning of air and/or creation of negative pressureallows the animal cleaning device (1600) is remove fluids and otheritems from the surface of an animal being cleaned. Examples of suchfluids and other items include, but are not limited to, hair, cleaningagent residues, shampoo residues, water, bacteria, fleas, otherorganisms, mud, dirt, sand, debris, other particles, etc. In one or moreembodiments of the invention, the suction vent (1702) is activated byone or more actuators (1606) shown in FIG. 16 .

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the bottom portion (1604)includes one or more blow vents (1704). In one or more embodiments ofthe invention, a blow vent (1704) is an opening in the bottom portion(1604) of any shape, and includes functionality to blow air out of theanimal cleaning device (1600). In one or more embodiments of theinvention, the one or more blow vents (1704) may be located at anylocation on the bottom portion (1604). In one or more embodiments of theinvention, the blowing of air allows the animal cleaning device (1600)to blow fluids (e.g., water) and/or other items (e.g., hair) from thesurface of an animal. In one or more embodiments of the invention, theblow vent (1704) is activated by one or more actuators (1606) shown inFIG. 16 .

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the bottom portion (1604)includes one or more airflow vents (1706). In one or more embodiments ofthe invention, an airflow vent (1706) is an opening in the bottomportion (1604) of any shape, and includes functionality to blow air outof the animal cleaning device (1600). In one or more embodiments of theinvention, the one or more airflow vents (1706) may be located at anylocation on the bottom portion (1604). In one or more embodiments of theinvention, one or more of the airflow vents (1706) may also be one ormore of the blow vents (1704). In such embodiments, the heating if air,or lack thereof, as well as the temperature of the air, is activated byone or more actuators (1606) shown in FIG. 16 . In other embodiments ofthe invention, the one or more blow vents (1704) and one or more airflowvents (1706) are separate openings in the bottom portion (1604). In oneor more embodiments of the invention, the airflow vents (1706) areconfigured to blow air onto the surface of an animal, which may, forexample, allow the animal cleaning device (1600) to dry wet hair and/orthe outer surface of an animal.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the bottom portion (1604)includes any number of affixed brushing elements (1712), which may besubstantially similar to brushing elements (40) as described above. Assuch, each brushing element (1712) may include any number of bristles.In one or more embodiments of the invention, the one or more brushingelements (1712) may be located at any location on the bottom portion(1604).

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the bottom portion (1604)includes one or more brushes (1708). In one or more embodiments of theinvention, a brush includes a portion of the brushing elements (1712)affixed to the bottom portion (1604). In one or more embodiments of theinvention, a brush (1708) is any shape (e.g., substantially circular),and may be located within any portion of the bottom portion (1604).

In one or more embodiments of the invention, the bottom portion (1604)includes one or more formulation dispensers (1710). In one or moreembodiments of the invention, a formulation dispenser (1710) is anopening of any shape that is located at any location on the bottomportion (1604), and includes functionality to dispense a formulationonto the surface of an animal. In one or more embodiments of theinvention, the formulation is stored within the animal cleaning device(1600). In other embodiments of the invention, the formulation isprovided to the animal cleaning device (1600) from a coupled fluidsupply unit (not shown) (e.g., via one or more conduits). In one or moreembodiments of the invention, the formulation may be a natural orchemical formulation, such as, for example, shampoo, conditioner,perfume, soap solution, etc.

In one or more embodiments of the invention, any of the suction vents(1702), blow vents (1704), airflow vents (1706), brushes (1708), andformulation dispenser (1710) may be actuated (e.g., by one or moreactuators (1606) shown in FIG. 16 ) individually, or in any combinationof two or more. For example, a user (e.g., user 42 of FIG. 1 ) may usetwo actuators (1606) located on the top portion (1602) to actuate a blowvent (1704) and a formulation dispenser (1710) at substantially the sametime. As another example, a user may use one actuator (1606) to onlyactuate an airflow vent (1706).

The one or more embodiments for an animal cleaning tool described abovemay provide a number of advantages and benefits, some of which arediscussed below. One or more embodiments for the animal cleaning tooldescribed herein may allow the animal owner to regularly clean, bathe,and maintain the hygiene of his or her animal in less time and with agreater degree of efficiency. It may be helpful and desirable to theanimal owner that the same tool may be used according to one or moreembodiments described herein to wash using a cleaning agent, brush,clean, and dry an animal. Thus, an animal may be cleaned and dried in amuch shorter time period on the order of a number of minutes.Conventional methods for cleaning and drying an animal are much moretime consuming and laborious. It is noted that because one or moreembodiments of animal cleaning tools as described herein may encompass anumber of steps that existing cleaning methods require be separatelyperformed, it may be feasible to greatly reduce the time spent inwashing, cleaning, and/or drying an animal thereafter.

Further, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure mayincorporates using pressurized air with a cleaning agent that mayatomize or deposit the cleaning agent as a fine spray of particles ontoa surface of the animal. As disclosed herein, the pressurized air may bereleased at a range of preferred pressures and/or velocities. It may bea more soothing cleansing experience for the animal to have air blowingonto the surface of the animal as well as the cleaning agent to bedistributed over the animal's coat, skin, or fur as a fine spray ofparticles, rather than the conventional methods of applying excessiveamounts of water and soap which must be repeatedly applied and thenremoved from the animal. Thus, one or more embodiments described hereinprovide for a process of an improved cleansing and bathing process thatan animal may find more pleasant and provides the animal owner orcaretaker a much quicker, more efficient way to remove dirt, mud, andunwanted odors from an animal.

Another example of how various embodiments of the invention may cause agrooming process to be more pleasant for an animal relates to the use ofa speed-controlled motor in one or more embodiments of the invention toprovide power for one or more devices in a fluid supply unit and/oranimal cleaning device. Specifically, as discussed above in thedescription of an electric motor, a speed-controlled motor, as usedherein, refers to a motor whose rotational speed can, for example, beincreased gradually, leading to a more gradual increase in the soundvolume of an operating motor in one or more embodiments of theinvention. Such volume control may cause an animal to be less frightenedof the device while in operation, as it may allow the animal togradually become accustomed to increasing levels of motor noise.

In addition, it is noted that the brushing elements (e.g., set ofbrushing elements 40) included with one or more embodiments of an animalcleaning tool described in the present disclosure may provide a numberof benefits. For example, the brushing elements may be used to brush thecleaning agent throughout the various contours and parts of an animal,without requiring a human to physically make contact using one's handswith a dirty or unclean part of animal. Such cleaning may be enhanced,for example, by one or more brushes.

The washing, cleansing, brushing, and drying processes described hereinin accordance with one or more embodiments may provide the ability forthe animal owner to maintain the hygiene of an animal more regularly.One or more embodiments of the animal cleaning tool may be adapted to doa high percentage of the work involved in cleaning, brushing, and dryingof an animal, thus reducing the steps that a human user must perform.Since washing an animal is accomplished rapidly and easily, washingone's animal may become a more regular, routine, and less dreadedprocedure when using an animal cleaning tool according to one or moreembodiments described herein.

Further, the one or more embodiments of an animal cleaning tooldescribed herein may reduce an amount of water used for washing, whichmay counteract the effects of washing and cleaning an animal because iftoo much water is left on a surface of an animal, the water begins todevelop undesirable odors. As described herein, a cleaning agent mayincorporate fragrances that may be applied to a surface of an animal andleave a more pleasant smell. Further, as described above, in one or moreembodiments of an animal cleaning tool, cleaning agent solutions mayincorporate chemicals or solutions that allow for flea and tick control.In other embodiments, instead of dispensing a cleaning agent from ananimal cleaning tool, a composition or solution for treating andcontrolling fleas and ticks may be dispensed from an animal cleaningtool and brushed into a surface of an animal.

Further, the one or more embodiments of the invention, as discussedabove in the descriptions of FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 , may include an animalcleaning device that includes one or more suction vents. A suction ventmay allow the device to perform a vacuum function. For example, a vacuumsource in a fluid supply base may be coupled by a conduit to a suctionvent of the animal cleaning device in order to create a suction thatdraws fluids and/or other items (e.g., hair) from the surface of ananimal and into a vacuum repository for disposal by a user. Such avacuum feature may provide a variety of advantages. Such advantagesinclude, but are not limited to: the ability to use stronger and/orheavier cleaning solutions (e.g., formulations) due to the ability tovacuum such solutions from the surface of an animal; the ability tovacuum other items such as bacteria, fleas, other organisms, mud, dirt,sand, debris, and/or any other particles from the surface of an animal;and the ability to vacuum hair from the surface of the animal, which maybe particularly advantageous when, for example, the hair of an animal isbeing brushed using a brushing element of the animal cleaning device.

Further, in one or more embodiments described herein, an animal cleaningtool and fluid supply unit may be provided that may be portable and haveone or more brushing elements that brush through an animal's hair or furor outer coat and one or more openings for dispensing cleaning productsand/or flowing air (which may or may not be heated) over a surface of ananimal. By making a unit that is portable, a user may be enable to cleanand maintain the hygiene of his or an animal, such as a household pet,with much greater frequency and regularity. Thus, even if a user and ananimal are not located in the same location, a portable cleaning tooland/or portable unit may enable a user to wash and maintain the hygieneof the animal at any location. This may benefit users by eliminating orreducing the unpleasant odors and germs associated with unclean animals,and may encourage individuals, as well as couples and/or families, tolook forward to spending quality time with their animals. Thus, one ormore embodiments of the animal cleaning tool provides a number ofbenefits and solutions to long felt needs and problems that have plaguedanimal owners and in particular, pet owners for a long while.

The detailed description of the illustrative embodiments above isdescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the invention. To avoid unnecessary detail, the description mayhave omitted certain information known to those skilled in the art.

Although the illustrative embodiments described herein have beendisclosed in the context of certain illustrative, non-limitingembodiments, it should be understood that various changes,substitutions, permutations, and alterations can be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as defined by the appendedclaims. Any feature that is described in connection to any oneembodiment may also be applicable to any other embodiment. It is alsounderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logicalstructural, mechanical, and chemical changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention.

While the present disclosure has been described with respect to alimited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefitof this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments may bedevised which do not depart from the scope of the disclosure asdescribed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the disclosure should belimited only by the attached claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An animal cleaning device for grooming an animal,comprising: a top portion comprising a plurality of actuators; a bottomportion affixed to the top portion, the bottom portion comprising: asuction vent, wherein operation of the suction vent comprises taking airinto the animal cleaning device, and creating a negative pressurerelative to an ambient pressure in a vicinity of the animal cleaningdevice; a blow vent; an airflow vent; a brush; and a formulationdispenser, wherein operation of the formulation dispenser causes aformulation to be dispensed, and wherein the formulation comprises aweight percentage of water of less than fifty, and a fluid supply baseunit is coupled to one selected from a group consisting of the topportion and the bottom portion of the animal cleaning device, wherein:each actuator of the plurality of actuators is configured to operate:suction vent, blow vent, airflow vent, brush and formulation dispenser.2. The animal cleaning device of claim 1, wherein: the fluid supply baseunit comprises a speed-controlled motor, the speed-controlled motor isconfigured to: begin operation at a lower rotational speed correspondingto a lower motor volume; and increase, after beginning operation at alower rotational speed, to a higher rotational speed corresponding to ahigher motor volume, and wherein at least one actuator of the pluralityof actuators of the animal cleaning device is configured to beginoperation of the speed-controlled motor.
 3. The animal cleaning deviceof claim 1, wherein the suction vent is configured to vacuum from asurface of an animal one selected from a group consisting of a fluid andan item.
 4. The animal cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the blow ventis configured to remove from a surface of an animal one selected from agroup consisting of a fluid and an item.